I regret that since my last report here, there has been little improvement in the freedom to exercise these rights...This intolerance is reflected in countries in the global North, and the global South and should be a matter of concern to this Council. Nevertheless, I remain optimistic because of the incredible courage and determination of activists and ordinary people who refuse to be cowed or defeated, even if it means paying with their lives...In natural resource exploitation, corporations play an outsized role in the decision-making processes. But they are not subject to legally binding human rights obligations. The Guiding Principles...have not had much success in reducing violations in the context of natural resource exploitation. It is time to address this issue more robustly. I believe that as corporations get more powerful in an increasingly globalized world, they must not escape responsibility to safeguard human rights.  I therefore endorse the idea of a legally binding instrument for all corporations, no matter their size or geographical scope...