Human rights are a high priority for the international business community. BIAC, ICC, IOE, IPIECA and WBCSD, which collectively represent millions of companies around the world,...have been engaged on this subject for many years. They endorsed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and continue to be active in promoting and disseminating the...Principles and related...guidance...Against this background BIAC, ICC, IOE, IPIECA and WBCSD...are committed to constructively engaging with the work of the Intergovernmental Working Group...Within this context, the organisations provide the following initial observations on the UN treaty process...Extensive progress has been achieved over the past four years – the UN treaty process must not undermine the ongoing implementation of the UN Guiding Principles...The UN treaty process should address all companies, not only multinationals...A potential UN treaty process should build on the UN "protect – respect - remedy" framework...The UN treaty process should be inclusive... [Signing organizations are: Business & Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, International Chamber of Commerce, International Organisation of Employers, International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association, and World Business Council for Sustainable Development]