When: 10-11 June
Where: Nairobi
The upcoming East & Horn of Africa Business and Human Rights Dialogue will be held under the title “Beyond Compliance: Strengthening Accountable and Rights-Centred Supply Chains in East & Horn of Africa”.
Building on the momentum of the inaugural conference convened in Kampala in 2023, this year we will be gathering shifts from commitment to implementation, focusing on how rapidly growing investments—especially in land-based sectors—can better align with human rights standards and responsible business conduct.
Record-high investments, strategic regional reforms, and vast natural resources are driving rapid economic growth, yet the region also faces complex human rights risks, particularly in contexts marked by political instability, conflict, and humanitarian crises. At the same time, geopolitical disruptions and global sustainability regulations are reshaping expectations of businesses, governments, and investors.
This year’s dialogue seeks to assess and catalyse progress in adopting and implementing Business and Human Rights frameworks at national and regional levels, with a strong focus on measurable action under the three UN Guiding Principle pillars. Plenaries and country caucus sessions will explore pathways including National Action Plans, BHR-related policies, and trade frameworks relevant to the greater East African context. Additionally the dialogue will also showcase and explore sector specific risks and advise on proper due diligence practices and additionally models to create positive impact within land-based investments.
The dialogue and workshop is organised in accordance with the following objectives:
- To assess and catalyse progress on adopting and implementing Business and Human Rights frameworks on national and regional level focused on measurable and concrete action under the three UNGP pillars. The dialogue and workshop will focus on different avenues including NAPs, other BHR-related policies, EU regulation and trade deals relevant to the region.
- To encourage peer-learning and multistakeholder dialogue amongst governments, national human rights institutions, businesses and civil society organisations, human rights defenders, trade unions and academia.
- To present evidence from sector specific issues in land-based investments, including agri-production, extractives and energy infrastructure as well as tools and positive experiences and opportunities to improve responsible business conduct that benefits businesses and rights holders, emphasising ‘the business case of human rights’.
- To advance practical models and tools for due diligence (including heightened due diligence) that highlight the lived challenges of producers, communities and consumers and that strengthens protection of most-at-risk groups such as HRDs, women and children.
The full programme will be available soon, but we currently invite for session proposals. Find the format through this link and kindly submit before 4 May.
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