The 2025 UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum (UNRBHRF)-ASIA PACIFIC

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Background and Regional Context

The 2025 UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum (UNRBHRF) convenes at a pivotal moment for Asia and the Pacific. The region faces an unprecedented convergence of challenges and crises, underscoring the importance of businesses upholding their responsibility to respect human rights. These include economic headwinds and trade wars, shrinking civic space, regulatory uncertainty, labour exploitation and discrimination, intrusive surveillance technologies, environmental degradation, pollution, and crisis- and climate-induced displacement.

These regional pressures are compounded by global developments that reinforce the urgency of the business and human rights agenda. Rising inequality, deepening economic disparities, and growing pushback against environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and diversity and inclusion initiatives are creating headwinds that threaten to weaken hard-won progress in advancing and enforcing human rights standards and due diligence measures.

At the same time, regulatory approaches remain uneven across the globe, with some jurisdictions advancing BHR frameworks, while others are delaying or diluting their commitments. These divergences are illustrated by ongoing debates around legislative proposals such as the EU’s “omnibus” legislation, which underscores the complex global tensions between simplifying regulatory regimes and safeguarding robust human rights protections.[1]

Yet, important progress continues. Governments across the region are developing and implementing National Action Plans (NAPs) on Business and Human Rights (BHR), with varying levels of institutional commitment and engagement. Countries in Asia continue to promote human rights due diligence (HRDD) in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). A few are now advancing mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence (mHRDD) frameworks, signaling regional leadership and a shift toward stronger legal enforcement and corporate accountability.

On the business side, there is growing recognition of the importance of HRDD and grievance mechanisms, with some companies taking steps to strengthen their internal policies, risk assessments, and supplier engagement and capacity-building strategies across their supply chains.

Even so, for many rights holders, particularly individuals from groups at risk of vulnerability and marginalization, including migrants, informal workers, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, women and children, more tangible improvements are needed. Despite stated commitments, exclusion and business-related human rights harms persist. These communities are demanding that rhetoric and policy commitments be matched with real change, and that regional leadership be grounded in the lived experiences of affected communities and co-created solutions.

These demands reflect the heightened urgency to bridge the persistent gap between normative frameworks and day-to-day realities. There is a pressing need to build the capacity of States to effectively implement and enforce national laws to protect human rights. Rights holders are calling for inclusive, context-specific responses and corporate accountability that go beyond policy statements and intentions.

Businesses, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), too, are seeking greater clarity on HRDD expectations, policy coherence across jurisdictions, and practical support to implement the UNGPs and other BHR standards, particularly within complex supply chains. While larger companies face mounting stakeholder scrutiny and legal uncertainty, MSMEs confront additional barriers in operationalizing their responsibility to respect human rights, including lack of capacity and dedicated support, limited incentives, and insufficient leverage within supply chains.

Insights from Regional Consultations

Consultations in May-June 2025 with stakeholders, including civil society, human rights defenders, business representatives, workers, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and expert practitioners, highlighted several BHR priorities in the region. Chief among them was the need to embed HRDD in both law and business practice, particularly in high-risk sectors, migration corridors, and supply chains.

There was also a strong call to improve access to remedy, especially for migrant workers, Indigenous communities, those working in informal or unregulated sectors, and, more broadly, marginalised groups. Across consultations, participants highlighted the persistent gap between policy commitments and on-the-ground realities, urging greater support and capacity-building for effective implementation, transparency, and enforcement of national laws.

Consultations further highlighted the structural and transboundary nature of human rights challenges, including displacement related to crisis and climate change, digital surveillance, and restrictions on civic participation. Stakeholders called for sector-specific approaches, regional peer learning, and cross-stakeholder dialogue to bridge these gaps. In particular, civil society advocated for stronger regional solidarity and leadership, noting that the Asia-Pacific must not merely keep pace with global BHR trends but help shape them.

About the 7th UNRBHR Forum

In this context, the 2025 UNRBHR Forum adopts the theme, "Anchoring Progress and Strengthening Regional Leadership on Human Rights through Crisis." The theme emphasizes the need for principled, coordinated action to sustain and boost progress in the region, especially during uncertain times.

Now in its seventh year, the Forum is the UN-led, multi-stakeholder platform in Asia and the Pacific focused on driving implementation of responsible business conduct and HRDD, based on guidance from the UNGPs, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (OECD MNE Guidelines), and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (ILO MNE Declaration).

The Forum also aims to position the Asia-Pacific region not only as a participant in global BHR discussions, but also as a driver of solutions that inspire global action. This year's Forum will contribute strategically to global conversations on advancing human rights during times of crisis, particularly at the annual UN Forum on BHR.

Co-organized by UNDP, OHCHR, UNICEF, UN Women, ILO, UNEP, IOM, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the Forum convenes voices of key players including governments, businesses including investors, civil society, human rights defenders and persons with lived experience, Indigenous Peoples, academics, youth, and trade unions.

OBJECTIVES

Accelerate the implementation of BHR standards and commitments. Support governments, businesses, and other actors in translating national action plans, policy reforms, and corporate commitments into practical outcomes, particularly in high-risk sectors and supply chains. The Forum will facilitate the exchange of strategies, tools, and lessons that strengthen institutions, regulatory enforcement, HRDD and access to remedy.
Strengthen regional leadership and cooperation in addressing shared risks. Highlight examples of principled and inclusive leadership from across the region, while fostering cross-border collaboration on systemic challenges such as labour exploitation, digital harm, environmental and crisis displacement, and restrictions on civic space. The Forum will promote coordinated responses grounded in regional solidarity and collective leadership.
Advance rights-holder leadership and inclusive participation. Center the perspectives and agency of affected communities, including workers, Indigenous Peoples, human rights defenders, women, migrants, environmental defenders, youth, and persons with disabilities, in shaping the BHR agenda and outcome recommendations. The Forum will create inclusive and accessible spaces for co-creation, dialogue, and joint action.
Enhance accountability and alignment across sectors and systems. Deepen cross-sector dialogue to tackle persistent gaps in implementation, legal compliance, and grievance mechanisms. A focus will be placed on strengthening access to trusted, effective, and scalable remediation and grievance mechanisms. The Forum will highlight positive practices, foster peer learning, and support the development of regionally grounded approaches that are responsive to rights holder expectations and regulatory changes.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND FOLLOW-UP

RBHRF 2025 will generate tangible outputs to inform regional implementation and global dialogue. These include:

A regional synthesis report capturing key insights, recommendations, action points, and thematic priorities
Documentation of good practices, tools, and models that can be adapted and scaled across contexts
Stakeholder-led roadmaps, recommendations, or declarations reflecting shared priorities or sectoral commitments
Concrete regional contributions to global BHR processes, including the amplification of Asia-Pacific perspectives at the UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights
Strengthened networks and partnerships across government, business, and civil society to sustain collaboration beyond the Forum

Key Themes and Focus Areas

Sessions will be organized along four key tracks:

Policy Coherence and Regulatory Evolution

This track explores the evolving policy and legal landscapes shaping BHR amid ongoing regional and global crises and transformations. Sessions may focus on bridging gaps and promoting alignment across jurisdictions, the rise of mHRDD measures, public procurement, trade and investment frameworks, national action plans, and integration into mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Markets, Finance and Supply Chains

This track examines how financial flows and global supply chains, including MSMEs, lending, and investment frameworks, are shaping and being shaped by systemic risks, from climate volatility to supply chain fragility and economic inequality. Sessions may bring together perspectives on ESG standards, investor expectations, buyer-supplier relationships, and the role of financial institutions in advancing human rights and sustainability.

Inclusion, Protection, and Participation

This track highlights the central role of rights holders in shaping the BHR agenda, particularly as civic space continues to shrink and accountability gaps persist. Sessions will explore pathways to remedy, particularly by vulnerable groups mentioned above, and meaningful participation, with discussions on SLAPPs, labour rights, gender justice, youth engagement, and the protection of human rights defenders, among other topics.

Sustainability and Transitions

This track will tackle the disruptive and uneven transitions reshaping the region, from the accelerating climate crisis to rapid technological development and persistent informality. Sessions may cover emerging technology, AI and digital governance, climate adaptation and just transition pathways, and protections for vulnerable groups to critically examining who bears the costs, who is excluded from decision making, and where the region can lead in shaping more responsible business practices in the rush to innovate.

Forum Design and Format

This year, the Forum will take place over five days at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok and will be delivered in a hybrid format to maximize participation across borders and communities. The Forum is designed to be inclusive, interactive, solution-oriented and grounded in regional and local realities, providing space for dialogue, rights holder leadership, and practical collaboration. For governments and regulators, it supports peer learning, implementation planning, and exchange on policy coherence. It also offers businesses a space to engage in honest dialogue, learn from regional good practices, understand and respond to regulatory developments, and collaborate with partners across the BHR ecosystem. For rights holders, the Forum provides opportunities to shape policy priorities, share lived experiences and strengthen networks that can support ongoing efforts to hold duty bearers accountable.

Venue and Dates

The Forum will be held in person at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, and will be have a hybrid component for virtual participation.

The Forum will be held on 15-19 September 2025. 

Organize a Session

Those interested in organizing a session should complete the submission form by 15 July 2025.

Groups submitting proposals may be asked to collaborate. The Forum co-organizers will provide session organizers with facilities (including presentation space and IT support) and guide them on how to successfully prepare. Session organizers will be responsible for all logistics pertaining to their session, including concept note development, session delivery, coordination with speakers and managing their sessions on Zoom.

For more information, visit the Call for Proposals page.

Queries

For general queries, please reach out to the Forum Secretariat at unrbhrforum@undp.org.

For queries related to sessions and speakers, please contact the Forum Secretariat (unrbhrforum@undp.org), with copy to Harpreet Kaur, Business and Human Rights Specialist, UNDP (harpreet.kaur@undp.org), and Amy Sellmyer, Communications Specialist, UNDP (amy.sellmyer@undp.org).