Reflections from the 14th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights

The 14th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights convened at a moment of profound global uncertainty, where overlapping crises, geopolitical tensions, economic shocks, climate impacts, rapid technological change, and widening inequalities, continue to reshape business conduct across global supply chains. For food systems workers worldwide, many of whom operate in informal, seasonal, low-wage, or high-risk sectors, these shifts highlight the urgency of embedding rights-based approaches into business practice.

This year’s Forum opened with a clear message: the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) remain the foundational framework for protecting workers and ensuring responsible business conduct, underpinned by long-standing commitments to equality and non-discrimination. A session dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion highlighted recent research indicating that many companies are advancing efforts to integrate equality and non-discrimination principles into their internal policies and supply-chain governance practices. The discussion further observed that reducing workplace protections may be at odds with States’ legal obligations and companies’ responsibilities under the UNGPs.

In the Opening Plenary, high-level representatives emphasized that corporate resilience and long-term competitiveness cannot be detached from respect for human rights. UN High Commissioner Volker Türk emphasized the urgent need for adequate response to the climate crisis, including proper accountability for the environmental and social impact of extractive activities. He also noted that the continued abuse and mistreatment of workers across several sectors were deepening inequalities, disproportionately affecting migrant, women and informal economy workers, the groups of workers central to global food systems. Several speakers pointed to emerging risks linked to artificial intelligence and digital supply-chain tools, noting that technological innovation must strengthen, not undermine, due diligence and worker protections.

Across sessions, a strong focus emerged on worker-centered human rights due diligence (HRDD). The panel “Putting People First” highlighted that engagement with affected workers and communities is essential for accurately identifying risks, particularly in vast, layered supply chains typical of agriculture and food processing. Businesses, civil society, and governments shared practical examples of HRDD that improved labour conditions, strengthened market competitiveness, and enhanced investment attractiveness.

Gender-responsive due diligence remained a central theme. The dedicated session on gender-based violence emphasized that workers facing intersecting forms of discrimination continue to experience unique vulnerabilities that global frameworks have yet to adequately address. Speakers called for stronger legal protections, survivor-centered grievance mechanisms, and policies that account for caregiving responsibilities, migrant status, and displacement, which are issues of direct relevance to food systems workers in both formal and informal settings.

The Forum also spotlighted African regional perspectives, stressing the need for community-led accountability, stronger national regulatory frameworks, and South–South cooperation. Representatives from Ghana, Uganda, and other countries noted that while policy commitments are increasing, gaps persist between standards and realities on the ground, especially in agriculture, raw materials, and manufacturing sectors.

For members of the Decent Work For Equitable Food Systems Coalition, the Forum reaffirmed a critical message: protecting workers’ rights is not only a human rights imperative but also a prerequisite for resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems. Amid global volatility, advancing decent work requires coordinated action rooted in the UNGPs and fundamental principles and rights at work, underpinned by worker participation, and reinforced by strong regulatory and corporate accountability mechanisms.