Thirty key stakeholders, including government, civil society, community representatives and human rights defenders from across Papua New Guinea, participated in a capacity building workshop.
Hosted at Dixie’s Bungalows in Port Moresby this week, the purpose of the training was to share experiences on human rights challenges in business activities in the country, and to strengthen their understanding about related global standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Drawing lessons from past and present case studies, participants explored how the Government and companies operating in PNG can conduct meaningful consultations with communities to overcome key challenges, including preserving the environment, promoting gender equality, protecting human rights and enhancing accountability mechanisms.
Participants also discussed how PNG’s 2020 Voluntary National Review on the Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Periodic Review in 2021 can promote business respect for human rights.
The participants expressed interest to continue to work together on Business and Human Rights issues in PNG and to explore the possibility of establishing a platform to carry out collective advocacy and seek reforms.
The five day program on Human Rights, Business and the Sustainable Development Goals was held from 11 to 15 November.
It was organised by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in partnership with the Diplomacy Training Program, the United Nations Development Programme, Pacific Islands Association of NGOs, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre and the UNSW Institute for Global Development.