"A lot has been done since the Guiding Principles were adopted by the Human Rights Council in 2011, and many lessons have been learned, but much remains to be done," said Mr. Zniber, who chaired the closing of the 13th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, held from November 25 to 27.

“Implementing the business and human rights agenda is becoming increasingly urgent to meet the current and future challenges facing humanity,“ he stressed, noting that "while states have borders, challenges such as the climate crisis, environmental degradation, violations of workers’ rights, and the rights of communities affected by corporate activities know no borders.”

The Forum, held under the theme “Realizing the ‘right mix’ of measures to protect human rights in the context of business activities,” was an opportunity for the participants to take stock of trends and challenges in the implementation of the Guiding Principles and to ponder what could be improved in the future.

It was also an opportunity to showcase positive practices and share ideas and practical solutions that can make a difference in the field.

One of the forum's key messages was that change is possible and that there are examples of “the right mix of measures,” when applied by states and companies with genuine political will, noted Mr. Zniber, who is also Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva.

He welcomed the increased participation of businesses in the forum. “Just as companies are becoming more and more important as non-state actors, they are becoming more and more important to the United Nations as interlocutors and partners.”

“As their importance grows in a multi-stakeholder space, so does their corporate responsibility to respect human rights and the environment, fight poverty and corruption, and achieve inclusive economic and social development,” the diplomat explained.

Created by the HRC and organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights since 2012, the Forum brings together thousands of participants from governments, international organizations, business, civil society, trade unions, communities, lawyers, and academics from around the world. It provides a unique multi-stakeholder platform to discuss key trends and challenges in the implementation and advancement of the Guiding Principles.

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights are the authoritative global framework for states and companies to prevent negative impacts on human rights arising from business activities.