UK Statement for the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-20)

Delivered on 20 October at the 11th Session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with respect to Human Rights.

Thank you, Chair.

We would like to thank OHCHR for organising this session and we extend our appreciation to Ecuador for their leadership.

The United Kingdom remains committed to implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These principles underpin our broader efforts to promote responsible business conduct and ensure that human rights are respected across global supply chains.

Earlier this year, the UK’s Department for Business and Trade launched a review of our approach to responsible business conduct. This review will consider the effectiveness of the UK’s current RBC measures and alternative policy options to support responsible business practices: including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence, and import controls, amongst others. It will be an objective and evidence-based process, aimed at enhancing the UK’s framework for responsible business conduct.

In parallel, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is conducting a National Baseline Assessment of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles. This will contribute to the evidence base that informs the UK’s approach to tackling business-related human rights abuses. We expect both the RBC Review and the National Baseline Assessment to conclude early next year. Their findings will inform the UK’s position on this draft treaty.

These initiatives reflect our commitment to ensuring that businesses respect human rights, support sustainable development, and contribute to resilient and inclusive economies. We would also like to share with this Working Group a set of principles (https://www.wiltonpark.org.uk/reports/modern-slavery-regulation-and-investment-finding-a-balanced-approach-to-sdg8/principles-for-a-balanced-approach/) on supply chains developed through a UK-hosted dialogue earlier this year at Wilton Park. These offer a framework for addressing human rights abuses in global supply chains while promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development. The principles emphasise collaboration, transparency, and the importance of centring affected workers and communities at the centre of discussions and actions. As we consider the development of this treaty, we hope that these insights will inform our approach to ensuring that any future instrument is inclusive, effective, and grounded in real-world experience.

We’re also commissioning new research to assess the potential economic impact of the draft treaty. This work reflects our commitment to an evidence-informed approach. We hope to be able to share insights from the research in due course.

The UK acknowledges the potential merits of an instrument that further elaborates the responsibilities of businesses with regards to human rights. We appreciate the intersessional dialogues, non-working papers, and expert legal advice that have supported progress. However, further work is needed to address outstanding challenges in the text. We note with appreciation the Chair’s textual suggestions circulated ahead of this session. Given the short timeframe in which these were received, further time will be necessary to consider the proposals in greater depth and therefore our interactions during this session may be limited in some areas.

Any future instrument must deliver meaningful outcomes for all stakeholders, while being workable for businesses and Governments.

Thank you.