Tripoli, 30/June/2025 – The Ministry of Justice, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), successfully concluded Libya’s inaugural Business and Human Rights (BHR) Conference, a landmark step toward aligning the country’s economic and legal systems with international human rights and sustainability standards.

Over two days, the conference brought together representatives from government institutions, the private sector, civil society, academia, and international partners to explore the relevance of BHR principles to Libya’s development, particularly within the context of its energy transition and trade relations with Europe.

The conference introduced key frameworks such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), both of which are reshaping how businesses operate globally. Libya, with its vital oil and gas sector and strategic geographic position, is directly affected by these evolving standards.

This conference marks a meaningful step in Libya’s efforts to align business practices with international human rights standards. We deeply value our collaboration with UNDP, whose technical expertise and continued support have been instrumental in making this dialogue possible,” said Dr. Khaled Salem Fallah, Advisor to the Minister of Justice. “Together, we are laying the groundwork for a national approach that balances sustainable development with the protection of rights and public interest.”

The event featured technical contributions from a UNDP international expert on BHR in conflict-affected settings, as well as speakers from the EU Delegation and Swiss Embassy in Tunisia, who shared lessons from regional and international experiences. Importantly, the conference also actively engaged university students, encouraging youth participation in shaping Libya’s business and legal reform agenda.

“Responsible business conduct is critical to unlocking Libya’s development potential. UNDP is proud to support national counterparts in creating pathways toward a more sustainable, rights-based economy,” said Mohammed Salih, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Libya.

To sustain momentum, UNDP will launch a preliminary assessment of Libya’s legal and institutional framework related to Business and Human Rights. This will serve as the foundation for a future stand-alone BHR project, aimed at building institutional capacity, promoting regulatory reform, and strengthening environmental and human rights safeguards across the private sector.

This initiative is part of UNDP Libya’s broader efforts under its “Strengthening the Rule of Law and Justice” and “Support to Energy Transition and Climate Change Mitigation” projects. It underscores UNDP’s commitment to advancing responsible investment, inclusive governance, and green economic transformation in Libya.