Amman, June 17 (Petra) -- The National Center for Human Rights (NCHR) on Wednesday launched the third regional dialogue on business and human rights in Arab countries under the theme, "Promoting Responsible Business Practices: Human Rights at the Heart of Sustainable Development in Arab Countries." Speaking at the opening session, Chairperson of the NCHR Board of Trustees, Samar Haj Hassan, said that respect for human rights has become a fundamental pillar of business sustainability, good governance, and investment attraction, stressing the importance of embedding business and human rights principles and strengthening partnerships among stakeholders to advance sustainable development.
She noted that the dialogue coincides with the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the 50th anniversary of the Center for Responsible Business Conduct at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, highlighting the growing role of the private sector in supporting sustainable development and preventing and addressing human rights violations.
Haj Hassan said economic development and human rights are complementary objectives, adding that the Arab region, amid economic and digital transformations and challenges stemming from conflicts, migration, climate change and supply chain disruptions, requires a development model that places people and human dignity at the center of economic and investment policies.
She pointed to Jordan's ongoing efforts, under the Comprehensive Modernization Vision, to build a more competitive economy capable of generating opportunities while ensuring justice, dignity, and inclusive participation.
Haj Hassan also highlighted the completion of Jordan's National Baseline Assessment on Business and Human Rights, describing it as a practical foundation for identifying priorities and policies needed to strengthen respect for human rights within the business environment and support the development of a national action plan in this area.
President of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions Ali Ahmed Derazi said respect for human rights is no longer a voluntary choice but an integral component of responsible business practices and sound governance.
He stressed that sustainable economic development cannot be achieved without safeguarding human dignity and fundamental rights, adding that promoting a culture of responsible business conduct has become a strategic necessity for ensuring a fair and secure business environment, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Derazi said previous Arab dialogues provided an important platform for exchanging expertise and strengthening regional cooperation, resulting in recommendations calling for greater commitment to implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles and developing national action plans through inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Chair of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Damilola Olawuyi, called on Arab countries to strengthen their commitment to the Guiding Principles and accelerate the adoption of national action plans that promote responsible business conduct and protect human rights.
He noted that despite progress in advancing the Guiding Principles, challenges related to conflicts, climate change and human rights violations continue to hinder implementation efforts.
Olawuyi said partnerships built on responsibility and accountability have become increasingly important for attracting investment and enhancing corporate reputation and profitability, particularly as human rights due diligence requirements gain momentum globally.
He added that the Arab region's strategic role in global trade, innovation, agriculture, extractive industries, manufacturing, infrastructure, the digital economy and energy transition provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of international business and human rights frameworks that reflect regional priorities and strengthen protections for migrant workers and marginalized groups.
United Nations Development Program Resident Representative in Jordan Randa Aboul-Hosn said sustainable development has become more important than ever, noting that the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provide a framework that supports economic growth while ensuring people remain at the center of development efforts.
She said the Arab region is undergoing rapid economic, social and technological transformation while pursuing ambitious development agendas focused on economic diversification, innovation, investment attraction and job creation.
At the same time, she noted that the region continues to face challenges related to geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, climate change and human rights concerns, which disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including migrant workers and women.
Aboul-Hosn stressed that a just transition toward a green economy must balance environmental, social and economic priorities while protecting the rights of workers and local communities.
She added that a growing number of countries in the region are aligning national frameworks with international standards amid increasing recognition that respect for human rights enhances business competitiveness, investor confidence and supply chain resilience.
In a virtual address, Head of the Center for Responsible Business Conduct at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Allan Jorgensen, said responsible business practices are becoming increasingly essential to addressing future global challenges.
He noted that due diligence in responsible business conduct is evolving from a market expectation into a prerequisite for access to global markets.
Jorgensen said 2026 will mark 15 years since the adoption of both the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD guidelines, providing an opportunity to reflect on future challenges and opportunities.
He highlighted the profound transformations driven by climate change and rapid technological advances, stressing that environmental, social and technological challenges cannot be addressed separately from the protection of human rights.
Jorgensen added that efforts to harness digital transformation and artificial intelligence must be accompanied by safeguards that protect individuals and communities.
The dialogue featured several sessions addressing business and human rights in the Arab region, corporate responsibility to respect human rights, and the importance of ensuring access to effective remedy and redress mechanisms.
//Petra// AJ
