Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises

Regional Consultations

In carrying out his mandate, the SRSG has been particularly concerned that the voices of the global South be heard in and contribute to the deliberations. At his initiative, the SRSG is convening a series of regional meetings

(1) aimed at getting regional inputs and perspectives on the issues covered by the mandate from all relevant stakeholder groups;

(2) contributing to the ongoing discussions in different regions about the responsibilities of business with regard to human rights; and finally,

(3) discussing issues within the mandate that are particularly relevant to specific regional contexts.

The following regional consultations have been held:

Buenos Aires, Argentina, 14-15 May 2009
This multi-stakeholder consultation is the second regional meeting intended at furthering the operationalization of the framework developed by the SRSG.

New Delhi, India, 5-6 February 2009
In order to operationalize the ‘respect, protect and remedy’ framework, as requested by the Human Rights Council, the SRSG announced to hold regional consultations in different parts of the world. These regional consultations are intended to benefit from different regional perspectives of stakeholders not based in North America or in Europe. Each of these consultations will follow the same format, focusing on the three principles to protect, to respect and to remedy and potential ways, challenges and opportunities in operationalizing them. A first such regional consultation took place in New Delhi, India, from 5-6 June 2009. The consultation included representatives from states, corporations and civil society as well as academics and legal practitioners from 16 countries.

Bogota, Colombia on 18-19 January 2007.
The multi-stakeholder consultation focused on how companies can establish and maintain a social license to operate with regard to local communities, in particular indigenous peoples.

Bangkok, Thailand, on 26-27 June 2006. The meeting focused on the challenges of establishing credible accountability mechanisms in supply chains, with a particular emphasis on the footwear and apparel, toys, and consumer electronics sectors. The meeting also included one extended session during which participants could provide input and comments on any other issues related to the SRSG's mandate.

Johannesburg, South Africa , 27-28 March 2006.
In addition to addressing the overall mandate, the Johannesburg consultation was intended to focus specifically on views and experiences on corporate related human rights challenges posed by operating businesses in areas of conflict or otherwise weak governance zones. It brought together some 80 participants from 12 different African countries, representing 30 companies and 31 NGOs as well as academics institutions.

All information on these regional consultations can be accessed through the SRSG’s regional consultation page at the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre.