La OIE encabeza una delegación a la Cumbre de la Unión Africana sobre Empresas y Derechos Humanos

La OIE concluye una semana productiva en el Foro Africano de Empresas y Derechos Humanos que tuvo lugar del 5 al 7 de septiembre (en inglés).

The Forum concluded in Addis Ababa at the HQ of the African Union. IOE led the business voice at the Forum with member employer organisations and their businesses from across Africa joining the IOE team. IOE was pleased to join forces once again with the host African Union and co-organisers UNDP, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and UNICEF.

At the high-level opening plenary, IOE Secretary-General Roberto Suárez Santos called for further promoting African ownership of Business and Human Rights (BHR) issues. The African business community must lead this effort, mindful of the local needs and capacities. IOE, and its global network, stand ready to support the key leadership role of the African Union and African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR).  

The IOE Business Caucus and panels confirmed the private sector’s strong commitment to moving the BHR agenda forward in Africa. This requires adapting solutions to the needs on the ground including: 

• Supporting businesses to operate in a social and sustainable manner. Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) is thinking about long-term positive impact that is embedded in the community and positively contributes to its development. 
• Promote the critical importance of respect for human rights through raising awareness of the business case for it.  
• African SMEs to operate and thrive in new markets and go global, must respond and comply with market needs and requirements. 
• Effective implementation and an enabling environment for sustainable business are key prerequisites for African business to fulfill their role as a major driving force for economic development, higher producivity and propsperity, for all. Both RBC and the nexus with trade through promoting intra-African trade and the AfCFTA are essential for African growth and effective UNGPs implementation.