Amman, June 17 (Petra) — The National Center for Human Rights (NCHR)
on Wednesday launched the third regional dialogue on business and
human rights in Arab countries under the theme, “Promoting
Responsible Business Practices: Human Rights at the Heart of
Sustainable Development in Arab Countries.”

Speaking at the opening session, Chairperson of the NCHR Board of
Trustees, Samar Haj Hassan, said that respect for human rights has
become a fundamental pillar of business sustainability, good
governance, and investment attraction, stressing the importance of
embedding business and human rights principles and strengthening
partnerships among stakeholders to advance sustainable development.

She noted that the dialogue coincides with the 15th anniversary of
the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
and the 50th anniversary of the Center for Responsible Business
Conduct at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible
Business Conduct, highlighting the growing role of the private sector
in supporting sustainable development and preventing and addressing
human rights violations.

Haj Hassan said economic development and human rights are
complementary objectives, adding that the Arab region, amid economic
and digital transformations and challenges stemming from conflicts,
migration, climate change and supply chain disruptions, requires a
development model that places people and human dignity at the center
of economic and investment policies.

She pointed to Jordan’s ongoing efforts, under the Comprehensive
Modernization Vision, to build a more competitive economy capable of
generating opportunities while ensuring justice, dignity, and
inclusive participation.

Haj Hassan also highlighted the completion of Jordan’s National
Baseline Assessment on Business and Human Rights, describing it as a
practical foundation for identifying priorities and policies needed
to strengthen respect for human rights within the business
environment and support the development of a national action plan in
this area.

President of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions
Ali Ahmed Derazi said respect for human rights is no longer a
voluntary choice but an integral component of responsible business
practices and sound governance.

He stressed that sustainable economic development cannot be achieved
without safeguarding human dignity and fundamental rights, adding
that promoting a culture of responsible business conduct has become a
strategic necessity for ensuring a fair and secure business
environment, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Derazi said previous Arab dialogues provided an important platform
for exchanging expertise and strengthening regional cooperation,
resulting in recommendations calling for greater commitment to
implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles and developing
national action plans through inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Chair of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human
Rights, Damilola Olawuyi, called on Arab countries to strengthen
their commitment to the Guiding Principles and accelerate the
adoption of national action plans that promote responsible business
conduct and protect human rights.

He noted that despite progress in advancing the Guiding Principles,
challenges related to conflicts, climate change and human rights
violations continue to hinder implementation efforts.

Olawuyi said partnerships built on responsibility and accountability
have become increasingly important for attracting investment and
enhancing corporate reputation and profitability, particularly as
human rights due diligence requirements gain momentum globally.

He added that the Arab region’s strategic role in global trade,
innovation, agriculture, extractive industries, manufacturing,
infrastructure, the digital economy and energy transition provides an
opportunity to contribute to the development of international
business and human rights frameworks that reflect regional priorities
and strengthen protections for migrant workers and marginalized
groups.

United Nations Development Program Resident Representative in Jordan
Randa Aboul-Hosn said sustainable development has become more
important than ever, noting that the United Nations Guiding
Principles on Business and Human Rights provide a framework that
supports economic growth while ensuring people remain at the center
of development efforts.

She said the Arab region is undergoing rapid economic, social and
technological transformation while pursuing ambitious development
agendas focused on economic diversification, innovation, investment
attraction and job creation.

At the same time, she noted that the region continues to face
challenges related to geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty,
climate change and human rights concerns, which disproportionately
affect vulnerable groups, including migrant workers and women.

Aboul-Hosn stressed that a just transition toward a green economy
must balance environmental, social and economic priorities while
protecting the rights of workers and local communities.

She added that a growing number of countries in the region are
aligning national frameworks with international standards amid
increasing recognition that respect for human rights enhances
business competitiveness, investor confidence and supply chain
resilience.

In a virtual address, Head of the Center for Responsible Business
Conduct at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), Allan Jorgensen, said responsible business practices are
becoming increasingly essential to addressing future global
challenges.

He noted that due diligence in responsible business conduct is
evolving from a market expectation into a prerequisite for access to
global markets.

Jorgensen said 2026 will mark 15 years since the adoption of both the
United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and
the OECD guidelines, providing an opportunity to reflect on future
challenges and opportunities.

He highlighted the profound transformations driven by climate change
and rapid technological advances, stressing that environmental,
social and technological challenges cannot be addressed separately
from the protection of human rights.

Jorgensen added that efforts to harness digital transformation and
artificial intelligence must be accompanied by safeguards that
protect individuals and communities.

The dialogue featured several sessions addressing business and human
rights in the Arab region, corporate responsibility to respect human
rights, and the importance of ensuring access to effective remedy and
redress mechanisms.

//Petra// AJ