United Nations Business and Human Rights Regional Forum: Australia and New Zealand
Strengthening responsible business practices in turbulent times
DATE
26 - 27 August 2025
VENUE
Storey Hall Conference Centre, RMIT University City Campus, 342 Swanston Street, Melbourne Australia VIC 3000 (near corner w/ Latrobe St)
REGISTRATION
Registration is required
About
The defining responsible business event in the region, giving attendees the opportunity to shape the future of business and human rights in Australia and New Zealand (and beyond).
The inaugural UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum: Australia and New Zealand (the Forum) will bring together a broad range of stakeholders to strengthen business practices and connect on how businesses manage value chains across our region.
Attendees from government, business, investment, the education sector and civil society will gather to discuss key trends and developments in the business and human rights landscape in our region and globally.
This event delivered with the support of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights will equip attendees to navigate a turbulent landscape with confidence.
Topics include:
- The future of legislation aimed at ending modern slavery and strengthening implementation of human rights due diligence
- Measures to advance respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and cultural heritage
- The obstacles to achieving a just transition in response to the climate and nature crises
- Harnessing responsible AI and other technological developments
- Enabling tangible positive outcomes for affected workers, communities and other groups across complex global supply chains
About the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights was established in 2011 and has a mandate to promote the effective and comprehensive dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The Working Group guides and chairs the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, which was established by the Human Rights Council in 2011 and has become the world’s largest global gathering on business and human rights. The Forum serves as a key global platform for stakeholders to discuss trends and challenges in the implementation of the UNGPs and promote dialogue and cooperation on issues linked to business and human rights.
This is the first Business and Human Rights Regional Forum to be held in our region, and complements the UN Working Group’s annual global Forum in Geneva and Regional Forums convened in other parts of the world.
Who attends
Representatives of all interested groups across society are encouraged to participate in and contribute to the UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum – Australia and New Zealand.
Indigenous Peoples and other affected groups and interested members of the public are all encouraged to attend.
Attendees include:
- Government
- Business
- Advisory firms
- Investors
- Academia
- Unions
- Civil society
- Indigenous Peoples
- Representatives of local communities and other affected groups
Why attend
This Forum offers a platform for participants to consider the future of business respect for human rights in our region.
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Drive business, legislative and societal action
What changes do we want and need in the next 5-10 years to scale up and improve the quality of business respect for human rights in our region? -
Contribute to the global landscape
How will we contribute to the global business and human rights landscape – particularly in these complex and challenging times? -
Learn how to create meaningful change
How can we ensure that our efforts contribute to meaningful positive outcomes for affected people and communities – both within our immediate region and beyond? -
Connect with like-minded individuals and those with different perspectives
Network with peers across diverse sectors, areas of expertise and stakeholder groups
Why this forum matters
The inaugural UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum: Australia and New Zealand will take place in Melbourne, Australia 14 years after the unanimous adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – the authoritative global standard on business and human rights.
Since then, there have been significant efforts in our region to strengthen business commitment to operating with respect for human rights and to scale implementation of human rights due diligence.
This is the first Business and Human Rights Regional Forum co-organised with the support of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights to be held in the Western Europe and Other Groups region of the UN system (which Australia and New Zealand are part of).
Program
Tuesday 26 August 2025
10:00am – 11:00am
Welcome to Country and opening remarks
11:00am – 5:00pm
Concurrent events
Three concurrent in-depth events aimed at:
- Academics and researchers: Australia-New Zealand Business and Human Rights Research Workshop
- Business and investors: UN Global Compact Network Australia Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights (find out more)
- Civil society and affected groups: Civil Society Dialogue on Advancing Corporate Accountability
5:00pm – 7:30pm
Networking reception and evening plenary:
Human Rights, Business and Turbulent Times: Challenges, Responsibilities and Opportunities
- All participants are invited to a networking reception and evening plenary to hear perspectives on the turbulent times upon us in the business and human rights space
Wednesday 27 August 2025
9:00am – 4:30pm
On Wednesday, all attendees will come together for a full day of discussions on opportunities to strengthen responsible business practices in turbulent times.
Topics include:
- The future of legislation aimed at ending modern slavery and strengthening implementation of human rights due diligence
- Measures to advance respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and cultural heritage
- The obstacles to achieving a just transition in response to the climate and nature crises
- Harnessing responsible AI and other technological developments
- Enabling tangible positive outcomes for affected workers, communities and other groups across complex global supply chains.
Event map
Host a side event
If you would like to host a side event, please contact
info@unbhrforumanz.org
Support the event
To find out more about supporting the Forum please contact info@unbhrforumanz.org
Contact us
info@unbhrforumanz.org
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