“11th Session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Respect to Human Rights conclusions from CIDSE and its member organisations”, 27 October 2025

1.       OVERVIEW

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 (TNCs and OBEs).

According to the report A/HRC/61/XX, a total of 63 States participated, including new or re-engaged actors, reflecting a growing global ownership of the process…

2.      REGIONAL AND POLITICAL DYNAMICS

The 11th session witnessed an increase participation from Arab States, urging alignment with existing international commitments when the trade and investment provisions where discussed (Article 14),

On the other hand, Mexico and Palestine continue advancing progressive proposals consistent with civil-society calls…

The European Union, as has been customary in previous years, attended the 11th session and provided comments and recommendations on nearly all provisions discussed in the updated draft (12-24)…

3.       CIDSE DELEGATION AT THE 11TH SESSION

This year, the CIDSE delegation comprised members Trócaire, Broederlijk Delen, Fastenaktion, and DKA Austria, as well as partners COPAE, the Xinka Parliament, and the Consejo de Pueblos Maya from Guatemala, along with the Human Rights Clinic of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil…

4.        NEGOTIATION PROGRESS AND SUBSTANTIVE OUTCOMES

The session reviewed Articles 12–24 and debated 13 wording proposals by the Chair (Articles 4–11)…

CIDSE particularly appreciates the efforts made by the Chair to incorporate our requests already reflected in the report…

6.    FINAL NOTE

The 11th session reaffirmed that progress, though incremental, is real. The process now requires sustained political courage, cross-regional alliances, and civil society vigilance to deliver a treaty that transforms moral commitment into legal accountability…