Vice Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Prof Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), has called on government, business and development partners across Africa to step up their commitment to the effective implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
This, he said, would serve as a tool for boosting inclusive and sustainable prosperity for all.
Olawuyi, the global vice chair of the International Law Association, made these remarks during his High-Level plenary address to the 4th yearly African Forum on Business Human Rights.
The Forum was convened by the African Union in partnership with the United Nations, and hosted by the Government of Zambia.
The theme of the event was “From Commitment to Action: Advancing Remedy, Reparations, and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa.”
The continental forum brings together African leaders, development experts, business enterprises, civil society, and academia to explore how to promote and ensure responsible investments in all key economic sectors.
The forum was attended by dignitaries, including the Minister of Justice of Zambia, Princess Kasune, as well as representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Global Compact, UNICEF, African Union, African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, among others.
While exploring progress made in addressing adverse human rights impact of business activities and investments in key economic sectors, Olawuyi called on African businesses, investors and entrepreneurs to be more proactive in integrating human rights, environment, social and governance (ESG) standards across their value chains, including corporate policies, procurement standards and operational grievance mechanisms, to minimise legal liability and regulatory risks.
He emphasised that with increased adoption of right-based legislation across the world, including the European Union’s Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CS3D), it is clear that businesses that fail to respond risk being left behind in a rapidly changing right-based global economy.
“Africa is rising as the hub for new investments in mining, infrastructure, agribusiness and green technologies. At the same time, as we have heard at this Forum, local communities, indigenous groups, and marginalised stakeholders want a prosperous Africa built on responsible business practices.
“Profit maximisation is impossible in an atmosphere of public distrust, community protests and reputational damage.
“We, therefore, call on all states and businesses across the continent to step up their commitment to human rights due diligence, meaningful stakeholder engagement and sustainable development when making business, investment and licensing decisions,” he said.
While commending the governments of Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia and Ghana for being the first few African countries to have adopted National Actions Plans on Business and Human Rights, he called for accelerated action to transform growing commitments on business and human rights to reality.
