Responsible Business in Uncertain Times: Strengthening Corporate Leadership Amidst Widening Global Conflicts
Overview
The global operating environment for business is increasingly unpredictable, presenting new dilemmas for companies, governments and communities. Conflict, and the risk of conflict, exists in many forms and at many levels within and across our societies.
In these uncertain times, what steps should companies take to respect human rights law and norms, as well as international humanitarian law? How can business leaders reduce the risk of their activities contributing to conflict? In what ways can existing frameworks and tools be more effectively deployed to help guide and strengthen responsible business action?
Leading thinkers from business, government and civil society will seek to answer these key questions during this special one-day IHRB event in Geneva at the ICRC.
The agenda will include:
- Expert speakers with on the ground experience of advancing responsible business in conflict-affected areas, focusing in particular on commodities, technology and finance sectors.
- Focused discussions on laws and frameworks that can help businesses address conflict-related dilemmas, including the implications of the new EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
- Practical actions to help navigate societal conflicts and establish trust between companies and their stakeholders.
- Opportunities for networking and strengthening connections with key stakeholders among Swiss-based and international business communities, governments, civil society, and Geneva-based international institutions.
The discussions at this event will build on earlier IHRB meetings in Copenhagen (October 2023) and Washington, DC (February 2024) all aimed at fostering greater understanding and action on how businesses should respond to an age of growing conflict and uncertainty.
Register your interest
Registration to attend in person is open. The event is from 9:00AM - 5PM CET, followed by a reception.
Attendance is subject to confirmation by IHRB. Please note that IHRB are not able to cover the costs for in-person attendee travel, accommodation or visa applications.
If you have any questions, please contact geneva24@ihrb.org
Speakers
Gilles Carbonnier
Vice President, International Committee of the Red Cross/Crescent
Anna Krutikov
Head of Sustainable Development, Glencore
Dominique Habegger
Chief Sustainability Officer, de Pury Pictet Turrettini
Gabrielle Guillemin
Human Rights Manager, Expression and Standards Lead, Meta
Gerald Pachoud
Managing Partner, Pluto & Associates, former Principal Officer in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary General
Irene Khan
UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, fellow at the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies in Geneva
Josie Kaye
CEO, TrustWorks
Marlène Wäfler
Programme Manager, DCAF
Mike Davis
CEO, Global Witness
Pierrick Devidal
Senior Policy Adviser, International Committee of the Red Cross/Crescent
