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The 11th session of the UN open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights (IGWG) to discuss the draft binding treaty took place on 20-24 October 2025 at the UN in Geneva.
As per the revised programme of work and methodology for the 11th session, discussions focused on Articles 12 to 24, before addressing the summary report on the intersessional thematic consultations that took place in April and June 2025:
April 2025: Articles 4 (Rights of victims), 5 (Protection of victims), and 7 (Access to remedy). Non-paper available here.
June 2025: Articles 6 (Prevention), 8 (Legal liability), 9 (Jurisdiction), 10 (Statute of limitations) and Article 11 (Applicable law). Non-papers available here and here.
The thematic consultations in April and June focused on Article 4 (Rights of victims), Article 5 (Protection of victims), Article 7 (Access to remedy), Article 6 (Prevention), Article 8 (Legal liability), Article 9 (Jurisdiction), Article 10 (Statute of limitations), and Article 11 (Applicable law).
“After more than a decade of negotiations, the Chair signalled a critical turning point, announcing an intention to finalize the treaty within two years—making the intersessional period decisive for corporate accountability and for ensuring the primacy of the human rights of peoples and nature over shareholders’ profits.”
"Global unions have reaffirmed their strong support for a binding United Nations treaty to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses in their supply chains, following the latest session of the group tasked with working on this."
“The 11th session of the OEIGWG, mandated under Human Rights Council resolution 26/9, signified a significant qualitative and political advancement in the decade-long endeavour towards establishing a legally binding instrument concerning transnational corporations and other business enterprises.”
"At the end of the 11th session of negotiations for a United Nations treaty to hold transnational corporations (TNCs) accountable for their human rights violations (Binding Treaty), the voices of those fighting for justice, accountability, and a peoples-centred multilateralism were heard throughout the halls of the UN."
In the morning of the fifth and final day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group (OEIWG), the draft report, recommendations of the Chair and conclusions of the OEIWG were adopted. After concluding statements from states and non-state stakeholders, the Chair formally concluded the 11th session.
In the morning of the fourth day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group, participants continued to discuss redrafting proposals emerging from the intersessional thematic consultations on Articles 4 to 11. The discussion concluded in the afternoon session, followed by the presentation and approval of the 2026 Roadmap of the Working Group.
The morning session of the third day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group began with the continuation of state-led negotiations on Article 16 (Implementation), followed by comments from non-state stakeholders. Negotiations then moved to articles 17 to 24, which concluded in the afternoon session. Subsequently, states and non-state stakeholders began considering redrafting proposals emerging from the intersessional thematic consultations on articles 4 to 11.
The morning session of the second day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group began with non-state stakeholders sharing their comments on Article 13 (International Cooperation). Negotiations then moved to Article 14 (Consistency with International Law). In the afternoon, discussions covered Articles 15 (Institutional Arrangements) and 16 (Implementation).
"Ahead of negotiations for the Legally Binding Instrument on Business and Human Rights, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) alongside the undersigned organizations urge states to ensure that the said treaty serves to protect human rights for all, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized."
"In attendance at the United Nations Office in Geneva, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and 24 of its member and partner organisations delivered a general statement to renew their support for an effective United Nations (UN) Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights that can guarantee both justice and strong protections for people and communities affected by devastating corporate abuses. Read the statement below."
The first day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group started today in Geneva with the opening statements by states and civil society organisations (CSOs). In the afternoon, the session continued with CSOs’ general statements and then moved to textual proposals to Articles 12 and 13.
Friends of the Earth has published a report analysing the participation of business representatives in the negotiations of a UN Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights. The report raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from corporate influence in the process.
Over 100 faith leaders from 31 countries have issued a joint call to governments ahead of the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights (OEIGWG), urging them to reach consensus on a legally binding instrument on business and human rights.
