Three Days at the UN Business and Human Rights Forum: Key Insights and Reflections

The UN Business and Human Rights Forum 2025, themed “Accelerating Action on Business and Human Rights Amidst Crises and Transformations,” brought together over 4,600 participants from 146 countries. It is the world’s largest platform for dialogue on business and human rights—and for KIOS, it was an opportunity to learn, connect, and amplify the voices of human rights defenders (HRDs) working on the ground.

Day 1: Setting the Tone

The opening plenary was a wake-up call. UN High Commissioner Volker Türk warned that businesses must respect human rights and governments must regulate harmful practices. He called for a global alliance to put people first.Across the sessions during the first day, the message was clear: trust, rule of law, and protection of HRDs are non-negotiable. Human rights are about people—not statistics.

 

At lunch we had an opportunity for a joint discussion with two of our grantees from Nepal, Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) and Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP). It was insightful to hear how both grantees are doing and how they feel about the current political climate in Nepal.

We also held inspiring side meetings with partners such as the Business and Human Rights Centre, underscoring the strength and importance of collaboration.

Day 2: Deepening the Dialogue

The day started with productive coffee conversations and catch-ups with Mark Fodor from the Coalition for Human Rights in Development and Roya A. Z. Høvsgaard from DanChurchAid. Our discussion focused on the role of local actors and the importance of advisory work in advancing business and human rights.

 

 

 

One hot topic throughout the Forum was the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The CSDDD requires companies operating within the EU or dealing with EU-based markets to be accountable for their impacts on human rights and environmental impacts. Despite recent progress, the directive has faced pushback, and recent votes are watering down its potential impact on human rights and climate change. This is something KIOS has been keeping a close eye on by collaborating with other Finnish NGO’s and participating in national advocacy campaigns.

We ended the day with a celebratory dinner hosted by our grantee LAHURNIP who had just received this year’s Human Rights and Business Award for their incredible work. It was a proud moment for all of us and as Shankar shared with us during a quick chat earlier in the day, “The award is not only for LAHURNIP but also for all our allies who have worked tirelessly to protect fundamental freedoms.”

Day 3: Nordic Perspectives and HRD Voices

Our final day began with a networking breakfast at Finland’s Permanent Mission in Geneva—a great space for dialogue between diplomats, NGOs, and businesses. We had the opportunity to hear from Phil Bloomer, the Executive Director of the Business and Human Rights Centre, as well as Robert McCorquodale, a member of the UN Working Group on BHR.

Phil reminded everyone that companies often focus on environmental risks to their own operations but overlook the risks faced by local communities. This blind spot can lead to serious harm and conflict—something businesses must address proactively.

Robert highlighted a principle that’s often forgotten: remedy for victims. Under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), access to remedy is the third pillar and without it, commitments to human rights remain empty promises.

 

 

These insights reinforced a central theme of the Forum: companies need to move beyond compliance and integrate human rights into every aspect of their operations, including conflict preparedness and remedies for those harmed.

Back at the UN, we joined a session on the critical role of HRDs in addressing business-related harms. The session started with opening remarks by Shankar Limbu, a member of KIOS grantee LAHURNIP, and Chris Owalla from CIAG Kenya, a KIOS Haki Ni Yetu grantee, shared powerful insights as one of the speakers for the session. Later, over lunch with Chris, we learned more about CIAG’s work and filmed quick updates with Sarita Barma Shakha from FEDO.

 

Before starting our trip back to Finland, we squeezed in a visit to the UN Bookshop and one last loop through Geneva. Three days, countless conversations, and a renewed sense of urgency and importance.

Key Takeaways

The Forum made one thing clear: it is time to move from commitment to action. Binding legal frameworks and transparent reporting are no longer optional—they are essential. Corporate responsibility is non-negotiable, not only because it protects people and the planet, but because ethical practices benefit businesses and investors alike.

HRDs, Indigenous Peoples and other minority groups need stronger protection, with zero tolerance for attacks against them and meaningful inclusion in decision-making. Issues related to gender and migration remain critical, demanding urgent efforts to dismantle structural discrimination and accelerate rights-based systems. Companies must prepare for environmental and human rights related conflicts by integrating human rights due diligence and remedies proactively.

The conversations we had will shape how we support HRDs and adapt our funding to rapidly evolving challenges. Our grantees are doing incredible work on the ground, and we’re proud to stand with them.

Veera Teittinen, our Adviser for South Asia, reflected on why our presence at the Forum was so important:

The forum gave us the opportunity to not only learn but also to raise awareness about the realities faced by HRDs on the ground. The conversations we had allowed us to jointly reflect on risks, opportunities, and how funding can better adapt to rapidly evolving business and human rights challenges.

For Maarit Roström, our Senior Adviser for East Africa, the Forum was equally valuable:

As our daily work can be quite hectic, for me, the UNBHR Forum provided an opportunity to sit, listen and learn. It was a place to meet with relevant partners and networks. We got to meet our local partners LAHURNIP and FEDO from Nepal and CIAGK from Kenya, doing great work to enhance and protect the rights of local communities.

Three days at the Forum reinforced one truth: business and human rights is not a niche issue—it is about the future of people and the planet. Thank you to everyone who shared insights, stories, and solutions.

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Writer: Piia Khatiwada Suoranta, KIOS communications coordinator who participated in the UN BHR Forum with KIOS advisers Maarit Roström and Veera Teittinen.