Unchecked business activities have become a leading driver of human rights violations across the world – an issue that is reflected in our work in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. Impunity for corporate abuses is widespread and victims seeking accountability often run into insurmountable barriers, especially when their activities transcend national borders. Faced with this reality, UN Member States civil society, affected communities, and other stakeholders have been working toward a new binding treaty on transnational corporations.
The 11th Session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group (IGWG) on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights convened in Geneva from 20 to 25 October 2025. Established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2014, the mandate of the IGWG is to elaborate a binding treaty to regulate business activities under international human rights law.
This year’s session saw negotiations on Articles 12 to 24 of the 4th draft, and a discussion on the Chair-Rapporteur’s suggested redrafting of selected provisions (from Articles 4 – 11), which covered a range of issues including jurisdiction, access to justice, and precautionary measures for victims.
Franciscans International entered the week with the aim of underscoring the urgent need for a binding treaty that ensures protection of people and the environment. This strategy is informed by FI’s grassroots partners, who continue to reiterate the impact of business abuses on their communities. As FI prepares for COP30 in Belem, ending the power and destruction caused by fossil fuel companies is a forefront concern.
As part of the Treaty Alliance, ESCR-Net, and Feminists for a Binding Treaty (F4BT), FI worked and coordinated with these networks on statements and other joint advocacy. This included co-sponsoring a side event on civil society and parliamentarian initiatives to stop impunity and corporate complicity in atrocity crimes. During the discussions, FI and its partner JA! Friends of the Earth Mozambique highlighted the case of Total Energies and its role in enabling a range of human rights violations amid the ongoing insurgency in Cabo Delgado province. During a previous session, FI already hosted a Franciscan sister who supports people displaced by this conflict.
Separately and in coalition, we also continued to raise concerns over the process, including the presence and participation of business interests, insufficient time to analyze the Chair’s proposals, and a lack hybrid participation options during the intersessional meetings that took place ahead of the 11th session.
While the Chair has made efforts to move the process forward in recent years, it remains unclear when a new draft is expected and whether this will bring another round of textual negotiations which may draw out the process for years. Mindful of the urgent need for this treaty, FI will continue to advocate against any undue delays or attempts to water down its provisions to protect victims and prevent future violations.
Interventions during the session:
- Opening statement
- Other statements
- General statements: (ESCR-Net • F4BT • CIDSE • Treaty Alliance)
- Article 12 – Mutual Legal Assistance (ESCR-Net)
- Article 13 – International Cooperation (ESCR-Net)
- Article 14 – Consistency with International Law (ESCR-Net)
- Article 15 – Institutional arrangements (F4BT response • FIDH statement supported by F4BT)
- Article 16 – Implementation (FI delivered statement on behalf of F4BT)
- Combined responses to the Chair Proposals
FI also participated in the drafting of resources and statements in the lead up to the session, including:
- A Call to Action towards the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights
- No Profit Without Accountability: For People and the Planet
- Fighting corporate power: time for a feminist treaty
Documents from the IGWG:
- Annex to the summary report with suggested redrafting of selected provisions of the updated draft legally binding instrument
- Draft of the 11th session report
The 12th Session of the IGWG is scheduled to take place in from 19 to 23 October 2026. We also expect to have three intersessional meetings prior to next year’s session.