United Nations Global Compact Leaders’ Summit: State of the World

High Commissioner’s participation in the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit 2022

Pre-recorded video message for the virtual opening plenary session

1 June 2022, 10.00 – 10.30 am (EST)

State of the World

Welcome to the United Nations: Cooperating for the world we want building on a universal set of values and principles

It is my pleasure to address you at the opening of this important event.

We are living in times of uncertainty and unpredictably, with multiple intersecting crises threatening hard won gains in human rights. The triple planetary threat of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The impact of COVID-19 on employment, health, and housing. Growing socioeconomic inequalities. Persistent violence and conflicts around the world.

The role of business is undeniable in our efforts to craft responses to these pressing global challenges. Responsible business can be a tremendous force for good. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic some companies maintained their commitments to their manufacturers rather than invoke force majeure clauses, thereby helping secure the livelihoods of workers throughout their supply chain.

Yet, all too often we are confronted with business practices that do not place people at the centre and lead to human rights abuses.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights established an authoritative framework, setting out the duties of States and the responsibility of business in relation to all internationally recognised human rights. These Guiding Principles continue to provide a compass for joint action.

And thus, the role of States is also crucial. They can – and must – take the lead in setting out expectations for businesses in terms of respecting human rights in their operations. Concretely, States should actively pursue a smart mix of binding and voluntary measures. Some businesses, such as small and medium sized enterprises, might need additional guidance and support from States to comply with international standards.

In part due to businesses’ call for greater legal certainty, we are witnessing some progress in the drafting and uptake of business and human rights legislation. This is welcome. However, this will only have a positive impact on the lives of those adversely affected by business practices if access to remedy – the Guiding Principles’ third pillar – is accelerated.

My Office produced extensive guidance in this regard under its Accountability and Remedy Project.

I also take this opportunity to recall that my Office issued a report commissioned by the 2022 German Presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) containing concrete recommendations on how to achieve more sustainable value chains. The report highlights the need for legislative and regulatory alignment with international standards on responsible business conduct. It also stresses that achieving sustainable supply chains depends on the integration of the Guiding Principles by development finance institutions and across investment and trade policy.

There is no doubt: realising the potential of responsible business conduct for the benefit of people and societies, including by protecting them from business-related human rights harms, will only be achieved through greater uptake and accelerated efforts to advance implementation of the Guiding Principles.

The 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development emphasises the importance of the Guiding Principles and sees business as a key partner in realising the Sustainable Development Goals. More specifically, SDG 17 highlights the need to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development, including through public-private partnerships.

Only through joint action by all - including the United Nations, Governments, human rights defenders, and civil society – and by leveraging the influence of business committed to advancing human rights – do we have the best chance at tackling urgent global challenges and achieving a more sustainable future for all.

The time to act is now.

Thank you.