Background

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Business associations, such as chambers of commerce, bring their members together to advocate for their collective interests. However, as businesses are increasingly investing in CSR, sustainability, and are required to perform greater due diligence for human rights and environmental sustainability, there is a need for greater sharing with civil society organizations working on these issues. 

Research has indicated that business chambers have advocated for human rights issues, including during the COVID-19 pandemic period of rapid policy making, and that opportunities exist for more collaboration with CSOs. 

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Objectives​​

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• To bridge the commerce and rights advocacy gap with a call to action for business associations to create opportunities for civil society interaction on shared interests. 

• Share practical case studies and resources from chambers of commerce in the APAC region for businesses with international supply chain due diligence requirements which require greater resources and attention to human and environmental rights sustainability and compliance, such as under the new EU Directive on Corporate Sustainable Due Diligence (EU CS3D).

• Highlight case studies where chambers or associations have effectively cooperated with CSOs to address human rights issues in the business context.

• Share research detailing how business associations in APAC advocated human rights in the context of the COVID pandemic as a model for future crises, and recommendations for improved interactions with CSOs. 

• Profile future-looking priorities for the sector, such as modern slavery issues, cross border compliance in supply chain transparency and digital rights advocacy.

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Key questions

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• What role can the business association or chamber of commerce play to better facilitate, and advocate for, human rights?

• Why is it more imperative for chambers of commerce in APAC to build relationships and channels of communication with human rights CSOs in the region?

• With a mix of researchers, rights advocates, non-profit practitioners, and experienced association executives on the panel, share the perspective from stakeholders about the priorities in business and human rights issues for the next 5 years? 

• SMEs vs. MNCs have different abilities to direct resources to human rights issues; can business associations play a role in bridging those gaps and being a force multiplier for relevant human rights advocacy activities?

• What are the practical limits to business association and CSO cooperation? 

• CSOs and business associations are not necessarily in close cooperation, or natural allies in terms of rights advocacy. What kind of actions would be effective to create a force multiplier effect between these two types of organizations, to better allocate resources and development funding, reduce duplicate activities, and open effective channels of communication?

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Further reading

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• https://eastasiaforum.org/2024/06/18/bridging-the-business-and-human-rights-gap-in-asia/

• https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/7281460b-9623-4f3d-b2b3-87daea998327/Bridging%20Commerce%202503-4%20FINAL-a963714.pdf