Saturday, 18 July 2026
Egypt joins Arab dialogue on business, human rights
The Third Regional Dialogue on Business and Human Rights in the Arab States has begun in Amman, Jordan, under the theme “Advancing Responsible Business Practices: Human Rights at the Heart of Sustainable Development in the Arab States.”
Egypt is participating through Mohamed Mamdouh, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Egyptian Youth Council and Secretary of the Economic Rights Committee at the National Council for Human Rights, along with Abdel Fattah Abdel Aziz, Head of the General Syndicate of Farmers and Smallholders, according to MENA.
The gathering brings together Jamal Al‑Shamayleh, Commissioner General of Jordan’s National Center for Human Rights; Nahla Al‑Momani, the Center’s Protection Commissioner; Damilola Olawuyi, Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights; and a broad range of representatives from Arab and foreign governments, the private sector, employers’ and workers’ organizations, national human rights institutions, civil society groups, and international bodies.
The event is organized by Jordan’s National Center for Human Rights in cooperation with UNDP, OHCHR, UNICEF, IOM, the OECD, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Rafto Foundation, and the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, and in coordination with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.
This year’s dialogue carries special significance as it coincides with the 15th anniversary of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the 50th anniversary of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. These milestones offer an opportunity for participants to reflect on progress and chart future steps for aligning economic development with human rights.
The event aims to strengthen responsible business conduct and embed human rights principles within sustainable development strategies across the Arab region, especially as the private sector’s economic, social, and environmental impact continues to grow.
Participants are tackling a wide range of issues, including unsafe working conditions, discrimination, forced labor, child labor, and limited social protection. They are also examining the environmental impacts of infrastructure, agricultural, and industrial projects; food security challenges; land and housing disputes; and the responsibilities of financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and investment promotion agencies in promoting responsible investment and decent work. Additional discussions focus on the obstacles faced by businesses operating in fragile or conflict‑affected areas and during reconstruction.
The agenda also addresses emerging themes such as digital rights and the implications of increased reliance on artificial intelligence in business, while exploring ways to enhance corporate compliance with international standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Principles on Responsible Business Conduct, and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy.
The two‑day event will conclude with a final declaration outlining recommendations, practical measures, and actionable initiatives designed to promote responsible business practices within national frameworks and ensure a balanced relationship between economic growth and human rights protection in the Arab region.