International law expert and Vice Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Professor Damilola Sunday Olawuyi (SAN) has called for the urgent prioritization of human rights as a pathway for addressing interlocking crises and challenges facing the world, especially the threats of insecurity and conflicts.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is also the global vice chair of the International Law Association, made these remarks in Geneva, Switzerland during his high-level plenary address to the 14th Annual Forum on Business Human Rights. Established in 2011 by the Human Rights Council, the Forum is the world’s largest annual gathering on business and human rights, bringing together governments, businesses, civil society, affected communities, and international organizations to advance the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

Held under the theme: “Accelerating Action on Business and Human Rights Amidst Crises and Transformations,” this year’s Forum brought together close to 5000 participants and high level speakers, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Salma Rasheed, Deputy Director, UN Global Compact, Melissa Powell, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs of Nigeria, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the Republic of Chad, Dr. Youssouf Tom, Founder of Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, as well as representatives of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UNICEF, African Union, African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights amongst other dignitaries.

While discussing the lack of meaningful stakeholder engagement as a key driver of interlocking crises, insecurity and conflicts across the world, Olawuyi noted the need for renewed commitments by governments, investors and entrepreneurs to integrating human rights in all aspects of planning, to ensure that no one is left behind in the development process. He emphasised that a right-based approach to economic development can ensure that agitations and disputes in local communities are promptly resolved in a transparent, accountable and right-based manner that minimises confict and insecurity risks.

According to him: “In these precarious times of interlocking crises and transformations that shake the very foundations of human rights as we have known it, renewed solidarity and unity of purpose is urgently required. As we conclude this Forum, let us reaffirm a simple truth: economic development that neglects human rights will only result in further crises. Let us therefore continue to work together to shape a more just, accountable, and human rights-oriented global economy that leaves no one behind.”

While emphasising the need for capacity development, human rights awareness and education, Olawuyi called on states and businesses to provide more financial and technical support to national human rights institutions, higher education institutions, media, civil society organizations, Indigenous caucus and human rights defenders to continue their important work of sensitizing the public on the different platforms and mechanisms for accessing remedy and for ventilating their concerns in a manner that sustains peace and sustainable development.

He also emphasised the urgent need for human rights training for security officers deployed in places of conflicts. He noted that advancing human rights education and reorientation can unlock youth-led entrepreneurship and innovation that drives a sustainable and prosperous economy. Noting that a ‘whole government approach’ is required, Olawuyi challenged all stakeholders to align words with actions by stepping up their implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

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