International Human Rights Day, December 10th, is a celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is the milestone document in the history of human rights, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th 1948 as the common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. It set out, for the first time, the fundamental human rights to be universally protected. It has been translated into over 500 languages, and paved the way for the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties.
Every year to mark International Human Rights Day, IHRB releases its annual Top 10 list of key business and human rights issues. These are the issues IHRB staff forecast as critical obstacles or opportunities to advancing business respect for human rights. Each year's list is based on our analysis of the global context, topical developments, and under-explored challenges. The list is often comprised of a mix of sectoral and thematic focuses, and offers both a diagnosis of a key problem as well as steps business, government, and civil society can and should take to overcome it.
The Top 10 is not an exact science and has evolved over the years as we at IHRB have explored the best way to reflect on forthcoming shared priorities. As always, we welcome your comments and feedback to comms [at] ihrb.org.
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Previous Editions
Browse and read IHRB’s previous editions of the Top 10 Business and Human Rights Issues
Top Ten Issues in 2024
2024’s Top 10 list looks further into the future, and examines the places where business actions are likely to be critical in the decades to come. In a time of conflict, climate crisis, rapidly evolving technologies, and persistent inequalities, what are the ‘small places’ and new frontiers where responsible business will be critical?
Top Ten Issues in 2023
This year's list shines the spotlight on this important area, by exploring the roles and responsibilities of these sometimes less visible firms, and by proposing steps they should take to avoid links to human rights abuses and instead serve as responsible entities who foster corporate respect for human rights around the world.
Top Ten Issues in 2022
Huge gaps still remain in commitment and action needed to confront the threat of global warming, and to do so in ways that are consistent with international human rights standards. IHRB’s Top 10 for 2022 examines priority areas at the intersection of these agendas and demanding attention by governments, business, and civil society.
Top Ten Issues in 2021
On International Human Rights Day, December 10th 2021, IHRB’s annual Top 10 Business and Human Rights Issues reflects a tumultuous year of pandemic-driven impacts on nearly every facet of life – from health to the economy, from the workplace to global trade.
Top Ten Issues in 2020
The human rights movement faces a perilous future. The multilateral, rules-based system is under attack, the climate crisis is at the point of no return, and the future of work itself is in a state of profound change.
Top Ten Issues in 2019
Together with partners from business and civil society, we focus on issues of critical importance in 2019. These concerns are drawn from the organisation’s expertise, and reference the articles of the UDHR, as well as other international instruments.
Top Ten Issues in 2018
Marking International Human Rights Day on the 10th of December 2017 IHRB has published its ninth annual list of the Top 10 Business & Human Rights Issues for the coming year.
Top Ten Issues in 2017
The human rights movement faces a difficult future in 2017, and it is up to all actors – civil society, governments as well as businesses – to champion the issues people care about and make human rights relevant to peoples’ daily lives.
Top Ten Issues in 2016
To mark International Human Rights Day 2015, IHRB has published the seventh annual list of the Top 10 Business & Human Rights Issues for the forthcoming year.
Top Ten Issues in 2015
To mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2014, the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) has published its Top 10 List of Business and Human Rights Issues for 2015.
Top Ten Issues in 2014
What emerging trends and key challenges will dominate global action and debate on the business and human rights agenda in 2014?
Top Ten Issues in 2013
What issues should be at the top of the 2013 Business and Human Right agenda? IHRB will release its fourth annual Top 10 list of emerging business and human rights issues for the year ahead on 10 December 2012 - International Human Rights Day.
Top Ten Issues in 2012
IHRB's Top Ten List of emerging Business and Human Rights Issues seeks to address diverse aspects of how the new UN Protect, Respect, Remedy Framework on business and human rights and Guiding Principles can be put into practice to achieve real step.
Top Ten Issues in 2011
To mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2010, the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) published its Top 10 List of Business and Human Rights Issues for 2011.
Top Ten Issues in 2010
What issues should be at the top of the 2010 Business and Human Right agenda? IHRB released its first annual Top 10 list of emerging business and human rights issues for the year ahead on 10 December 2009 - International Human Rights Day.