LocationsThe 2025 Forum showcased how Asia-Pacific is anchoring progress on responsible business through shared learning, innovation, and resilience in a changing global landscape.
Leadership, Innovation, and Collaboration Mark the 2025 UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum
September 22, 2025
The 2025 UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum concluded in Bangkok with record participation and renewed momentum for collaboration across sectors. Held from 16–19 September at the United Nations Conference Centre, the Forum brought together 1,100 participants in person and a total of 2,300 registered attendees from 93 countries, making it the largest regional gathering of its kind.
Jointly organized by eight United Nations partners – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights – the Forum was supported by the Governments of Sweden, Japan, Australia and the European Union, and implemented in collaboration with over 150 partner organizations.
Under the theme “Anchoring Progress and Strengthening Regional Leadership on Human Rights through Crisis,” the Forum served as a reminder that progress on responsible business and human rights must be consolidated, not taken for granted, in an era of converging global challenges. Governments, businesses, civil society, and rights holders came together to exchange lessons, reaffirm commitments, and explore collective action on responsible business conduct and access to remedy.
The strong turnout of youth – making up nearly half of all registrants – injected fresh energy and new ideas into debates traditionally dominated by established actors. Civil society, including human rights defenders and Indigenous representatives, played a central role in shaping conversations on accountability and inclusion, while academic institutions deepened the evidence base for reform. The significant engagement from companies, accounting for a quarter of overall registrations, reflected growing recognition that responsible conduct is not just a compliance issue but a foundation for competitiveness, trust, and long-term resilience. Notably, nearly two-thirds of participants were attending the Forum for the first time – a clear sign that Asia-Pacific’s movement for responsible business continues to grow, diversify, and evolve.
Across 90 sessions, participants examined how businesses can help build fair, transparent, and sustainable markets in a rapidly changing global landscape. Discussions spanned responsible supply chains, climate justice, digital transformation, and corporate accountability, reinforcing Asia-Pacific’s position as a source of innovation and leadership that is reinforcing Asia-Pacific’s growing role in advancing responsible business and human rights practices.
UNDP supported several sessions that advanced practical collaboration and innovation. A government networking session convened government representatives from 11 countries, including counterparts from Nigeria, to exchange experiences on implementing National Action Plans and aligning emerging legislation with international standards – demonstrating the value of interregional learning and South–South cooperation.
The Forum also featured the first NextGen Business and Human Rights Hackathon, which brought together 75 students from 15 universities across six countries to develop creative, practical solutions to complex challenges at the intersection of human rights and business – from climate justice and inclusion to technology and impacts on communities. Working in small teams with guidance from mentors and experts, the students presented innovations ranging from inclusive labour practices to tech-based tools for community impact – showcasing the region’s next generation of leaders and problem solvers.
Two industry roundtables – on agribusiness and technology – created space for candid, solution-oriented dialogue among companies navigating complex human rights challenges. These closed-door sessions allowed businesses to share practical experiences, identify common barriers, and explore collective approaches to due diligence and stakeholder engagement. By bringing together companies from across sectors, the Forum provided a space for open exchange on how global standards can be applied in practice, helping businesses share lessons and identify realistic approaches to human rights due diligence.
An inter-regional dialogue on Asia–Africa investment and human rights examined the growing footprint of Asian businesses in African markets and the shared responsibility to uphold rights across value chains. Another session brought together government representatives, civil society and policy experts to reflect on the development and implementation of National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights in Asia, and how these frameworks are serving as building blocks for broader policy and legislative reform. A session on the ASEAN–Japan connection explored opportunities for closer cooperation on responsible business conduct and policy alignment across the region. Speakers highlighted continued interest in harmonizing standards on human rights due diligence, labour rights, and sustainability.
As the Forum closed, participants underscored a shared commitment to continue building on this momentum. The breadth and diversity of this year’s agenda and participation underscore how responsible business is becoming central to the region’s vision for sustainable and inclusive growth.
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