3-part webinar series: 10 years on: A call to concrete action for a powerful legally binding instrument

This year marks the 10-year anniversary the adoption of the Human Rights Council resolution that created the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on a legally binding instrument on business and human rights. Drawing from our engagement with stakeholders on the binding treaty, the Resource Centre is organising a 3-part webinar series to relay key messages from civil society so they are visible and continue to be taken into account in the treaty process. In partnership with, Cameroon Diplomatic Mission in Geneva (Africa Friends of the Chair); ActionAid International, PODER, ESCR-NET, FIDA-Uganda, MACUA/WAMUA, ZELA, Leigh Day, CNCA and Pan-African Lawyers Union, the Resource Centre convened a series of three webinars in July, September and October 2024:

Fostering inter-regional learning: Establishing national frameworks to regulate transnational corporations and safeguard human rights in Africa and Latin America (July 31)

10 years of shifting landscape: The treaty in the context of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, growing responsibilities on business, and the climate crisis (September 24)

The treaty scope and its legal implications (October 3)

Webinar 1: Fostering inter-regional learning: Establishing national frameworks to regulate transnational corporations and safeguard human rights in Africa and Latin America

31 July 2024

Session 1: Understanding the challenges and scope

Overview of the Impact of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) in Latin America and Africa

• Juana Toledo, Indigenous woman human rights defender from the Republic of Guatemala
• Sabelo Bonginkosi Mnguni, Community activist and national administrator at MACUA in the Republic of South Africa.

Critical issues and challenges within Brazil legislative frameworks governing transnational corporations (TNCs) and human rights

• Fabiana Galera Severo. Federal public defender and former President of the National Human Rights Council of the Republic of Brazil

Session 2: Regulatory frameworks and approaches

Overview of the Escazú Agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean

• Javier Palummo, Special rapporteur on economic, social and cultural rights at the Inter-American Human Rights Commission and Chairperson of the Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council at United Nations

Insights into Brazil's recent legislative developments and regulatory measures concerning TNC

• Thales Coelho, Federal prosecutor. Head of the Business and Human Rights Working Group at Brazilian Federal Prosecution Service

Overview of Africa's Resolution on Business and Human Rights

• Issaka Garba Abdou, Head of Human Rights and Governance department - AU

African countries in regulating TNC activities and promoting responsible business practices

• Victoria de Mell, Rule of Law, Security, Justice and Human Rights Specialist. UNDP, Regional Service Centre for Africa

Session 3: Policy recommendations

• Manoela Roland, Associate Professor at Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. Coordinator of Homa - Brazilian Institute of Human Rights and Businesses
• Wangari Kinoti, Women’s Rights and Feminist Alternatives Lead - ActionAid International from Republic of Kenya

Webinar 2: 10 years of shifting landscape: The treaty in the context of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, growing responsibilities on business, and the climate crisis

Thursday 26 September at 3pm CET - Registration opening soon

Panelists from the labour movement and community representatives will evaluate the treaty process thus far, comment on what legally binding instruments mean for stakeholders, and share their thoughts on actionable steps to be taken to move the process forward in the years to come.

Webinar 3: The treaty scope and its legal implications

Thursday 3 October - Registration opening soon

The scope of the treaty (i.e. transnational corporations and other business enterprises undertaking activities of a transnational character or all companies, including local companies) is a key progress point in the negotiations. The objective of this webinar featuring academics and legal experts is to demonstrate the legal implications of choosing one or the other option.