The Corporate Accountability Working Group of ESCR-Net (CAWG) participated today in the opening of the third session of the IGWG, taking place this week in Geneva. Following election of the Ecuadorian Ambassador as IGWG chair-rapporteur, states adopted the program of work, after ultimately deciding against adding a footnote making it explicit that discussions encompass all business enterprises rather only transnational corporations. This was decided with the acknowledgement that the scope of the treaty would be discussed during the session, and state positions would be reflected in the session report…

In the afternoon session, states and civil society groups made oral statements outlining key issues for the session and in ongoing negotiations…

CAWG’s statement stressed our commitment to an ongoing process and our encouragement for states to work towards a draft text in 2018…

After a short discussion on the UN Guiding Principles, the IGWG began its substantive discussion of the draft elements…