A RECORDING OF THIS SESSION IS AVAILABLE HERE. This session is a tribute to Professor John G. Ruggie (1944-2021), author of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, who passed away on September 16, 2021.
During his mandate as Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Business and Human Rights (2005-2011), Prof. Ruggie led a highly inclusive process of comprehensive research and stakeholder engagement across all backgrounds and regions to develop a global framework for addressing risks to human rights and contributing to a more equitable and sustainable global economy.
This work resulted in the ground-breaking UN “Protect, Respect and Remedy” framework and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The Guiding Principles were unanimously endorsed by the Human Rights Council in 2011. Since then, they have provided a pragmatic and normative common platform for various stakeholders – from businesses and governments to unions and civil society groups, and most importantly to affected people.
The annual Forum, another of Prof. Ruggie’s many legacies, has in his words served as “a global town hall meeting, where people from every region and every sector of society could come and share experiences with implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and identify what additional steps might need to be taken to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights in relation to business activity.”
Taking place at the time of the 10th anniversary year of the Guiding Principles, the 2021 Forum will honour Prof. Ruggie's legacy and discuss what is needed to further make his vision a reality over the coming decade.
The session will feature reflections from leaders from different backgrounds who engaged with Prof. Ruggie during his work to develop the Guiding Principles and in later efforts to promote business respect for human rights.
Links and social media:
UNGPs 10th anniversary page (includes link to video statement by Prof. Ruggie):
https://www.ohchr.org/ungps10#UNForumBHR / #bizhumanrights / #UNGPs10plus / #nextdecadeBHR /
@ungps10plus
