Side sessions at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, Geneva

From momentum to implementation: side sessions at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights

23–25 November 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland

Fifteen years on from the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the frameworks and tools to help businesses respect human rights are in place. So what’s actually stopping implementation, and how do we unblock it?

At this year’s UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, AIM-Progress is convening six side sessions, delivered by a community of 25 organisations with a shared commitment to real change for workers, producers and communities. The sessions have been scheduled collaboratively so they explore different themes and don’t clash, so you can attend every session that interests you.

Each session is free to attend, but places are limited and registration is required.

Monday 23 November

Just transition in practice: What works? What’s missing? What’s next?
1:00–3:00pm, International Trade Centre, Geneva
A practical exchange on advancing a human rights based just transition. You’ll leave with concrete ideas, new connections and renewed momentum for action.
Coordinated by Human Level and Proforest, with AIM-Progress, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Ethical Trading Initiative, Food Network for Ethical Trade, Nottingham Rights Lab (University of Nottingham), Open Supply Hub and Shift. Sponsored by the International Trade Centre.
Register here

Tuesday 24 November

Beyond business as usual. UNGPs at 15: Gains, gaps and calibrating for the future
8:00–9:30am (coffee and pastries from 7:45am), Palais des Nations, Building H (Room H207-209), Geneva
An Oxford-style debate on the motion “The UNGPs are more gaps than gains”. After the debate, you’ll share your own stories of successes and setbacks, then vote on the priorities the field should focus on next.
Co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme, the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Ethical Trading Initiative.
UN Forum registration is required to access the Palais.
Register here

Living income & living wage: Where are we now? And how can HRDD drive action?
1:00–3:00pm, International Trade Centre, Geneva
Living income and living wage go hand in hand. The tools already exist, so what’s still blocking implementation, and how can human rights due diligence (HRDD) drive action?
Coordinated by the Living Income Community of Practice, with CNV Internationaal, the Fair Trade Advocacy Office, Fairtrade International, the Global Living Wage Coalition, IDH (the Sustainable Trade Initiative), Proforest, Shift and the World Fair Trade Organization Europe. Sponsored by the International Trade Centre.
Register here

From due diligence to action: Responsible sourcing of recycled materials in practice
6:00–7:30pm, followed by a drinks reception, International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva
Lessons and case examples on implementing HRDD in recycling supply chains in emerging markets.
Coordinated by The Circulate Initiative and Shift.
Register here

Wednesday 25 November

Beyond company boundaries: Lessons from 20 years of collaborative action in a challenging world
8:00–10:00am (breakfast from 7:45am), Fair Labor Association, Geneva
Honest lessons from two decades of collaboration and remediation, and what needs to change to achieve more for workers and communities. With speakers from the OECD and the Competence Centre for Human Rights Due Diligence.
Coordinated by AIM-Progress, The Consumer Goods Forum, the Ethical Trading Initiative and the Fair Labor Association.
Register here

Making stakeholder engagement meaningful in HREDD: From lessons to impact
1:00–3:00pm, Fair Labor Association, Geneva
Practical tools for inclusive, balanced dialogue with affected stakeholders across global value chains. Rightsholders will be speaking in the room, not just being talked about.
Coordinated by CNV Internationaal and the Ethical Trading Initiative, with Fairtrade International, the Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement Alliance, Oxfam, Proforest and the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER). Sponsored by the Fair Labor Association.
Register here

Event details