Engineer Ali Ahmed Al-Darazi, President of the National Institution for Human Rights, in his capacity as President of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, participated in the opening session of the Third Dialogue Forum on Business and Human Rights in the Arab Countries, hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on June 17 and 18, 2026, under the slogan “Promoting Responsible Business Behavior: Human Rights are at the Heart of Sustainable Development in the Arab Countries.”
In his opening speech, Al-Darazi stressed that respecting human rights is no longer just a moral choice, but has become an essential part of the requirements for sustainable development, responsible investment and good governance, stressing that sustainable economic development cannot be achieved in isolation from the protection of human dignity and basic rights.
He pointed out that previous Arab dialogues in the field of business and human rights contributed to enhancing cooperation and exchanging experiences, and resulted in important recommendations calling for the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on business and human rights, and the preparation of national action plans with the participation of various stakeholders, in addition to strengthening legislative frameworks and policies supporting the protection of human rights.
He also stressed the importance of companies adopting effective due diligence policies in the field of human rights, evaluating the effects of their activities, and addressing any potential violations in accordance with relevant international standards, stressing the Arab Network’s aspiration that the forum will contribute to strengthening regional cooperation, exchanging good practices, and coming up with practical recommendations that support building a business environment that respects human rights and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals.
The forum brings together representatives of governments, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, and international and regional organizations to discuss the most prominent business and human rights issues in the Arab region. It is organized by the National Center for Human Rights in Jordan in partnership with a number of international and regional organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions, in cooperation with the United Nations Working Group on the issue of human rights and companies.
