RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT) hosts the UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum: Australia and New Zealand

RMIT Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRIGHT) hosts the UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum: Australia and New Zealand

In August 2025, BHRIGHT hosted the inaugural United Nations Business and Human Rights Regional Forum: Australia and New Zealand - Strengthening responsible business practices in turbulent times.

The UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum took place 26-27 August on RMIT campus in Melbourne, Australia. This was the first time such a forum was held in the region. The Forum received an incredible level of engagement and attendance, with more than 500 attendees and over 100 speakers over the 2 days, holding important conversations and debate about human rights impacts and responsibilities of businesses. Attendees were represented in industry, government, civil society, affected communities and academia from across Australia, New Zealand, the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

The UN Forum was co-organised with the UN Global Compact Network Australia, UN Working Group for Business and Human Rights, UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute, Macquarie University’s B&HR Access to Justice Lab and World Vision New Zealand. The UN Forum would not have been possible without the incredible behind-the-scenes efforts, including co-organisers, RMIT staff and RMIT teams that intersected with the event, and the incredible RMIT student volunteers and UN Global Compact Network Australia interns who volunteered their time over the two days.

The UN Forum held multiple sessions and side events on a host of topics related to current human rights challenges in relation to businesses and different perspectives on ways forward. This included modern slavery and supply chains, just transitions and the role of businesses on Indigenous Peoples’ rights, AI and the human rights responsibilities of tech companies in developing and deploying AI, corporate human rights responsibilities within the financial sector, and due diligence. 

The Evening Plenary

A particular highlight was Tuesday evening’s session entitled: Human rights, business and turbulent times: Challenges, responsibilities and opportunities with panelists:

  • Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, UN Development Programme Administrator, Member of The Elders
  • Sharan Burrow AC, Advisory Council, University of Melbourne Climate Futures; Visiting Professor in Practice, London School of Economics
  • Linda Kromjong, President, amfori
  • Peggy O’Neal AO, Chancellor, RMIT University
  • Robert McCorquodale, Member, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
  • With a special video message from Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia.

A recording of this 1hr 30min session is now available on ABC Big Ideas.

20 January 2026

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20 January 2026

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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