Human Rights in Challenging Contexts Roundtable Series
Operating in politically sensitive or conflict-affected environments is no longer an isolated challenge. As conflict increases worldwide, businesses are experiencing additional operational costs, disrupted supply chains, and heightened risks to the safety of workers and communities. Companies that can navigate these challenges while upholding international human rights standards are better placed to maintain access to markets, secure investor trust, and protect long-term value. Proactive and context-specific heightened human rights due diligence helps safeguard supply chains, build stronger relationships with local stakeholders, and create a more resilient operating model that can adapt as situations shift. In sectors where competition for stable suppliers is high, a credible human rights approach can become a differentiator, offering both commercial advantage and reputational capital.
To facilitate this, the UN Global Compact Network UK is hosting a series of four roundtables on ‘Human Rights in Challenging Contexts’. These roundtables will offer a safe, closed-door space for practitioners to share experiences and discuss practical, sector-sensitive strategies for managing the toughest human rights challenges in sensitive contexts. Through facilitated, confidential discussions, participants will explore real-world dilemmas, examine lessons from different sectors and geographies, and share practical approaches that can be applied directly within their organisations.
If you are a member of the UN Global Compact Network UK and are interested in participating in the Roundtables, please contact Cora Edwards, Senior Project Manager – Social Sustainability.
Session 1 | Navigating Human Rights Due Diligence in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (CAHRAs)
5 November 2025, 14:00-16:00 GMT
This session will unpack practical techniques for carrying out human rights due diligence where information is scarce and security risks are elevated. Participants will look at how to prioritise risks, use remote monitoring and verification, and engage safely with conflict-affected communities and local intermediaries. Speakers will share real-world examples and tools, and group discussion will focus on translating high-level guidance and compliance with international humanitarian law into everyday practices for own operations, suppliers, and product use.
Session 2 | Responding to State-Imposed Human Rights Abuses
3 December 2025, 14:00-16:00 GMT
This session will focus on state-imposed forced labour and the companion risks of pervasive surveillance and constrained civic space. Attendees will explore practical detection and evidence-gathering techniques (supply-chain mapping, red-flag indicators, and remote verification), alongside legal and compliance options for navigating conflicting domestic rules. Expert inputs will present mitigation measures such as contractual safeguards, alternative sourcing, remediation for affected workers, and escalation pathways with buyers, governments, and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Session 3 | Managing Human Rights Risks in Responsible Disengagement
14 January 2026, 14:00-16:00 GMT
Minimising harm when an exit becomes necessary or recognising that remaining may sometimes be the less harmful option, requires careful, context-sensitive planning. This session will examine the practical mechanics of responsible exit planning including timelines, communications with workers and suppliers, contractual protections, and legacy remediation. Participants will assess sector and scale differences through moderated peer exchange and hear examples from companies that have navigated complex exits and ‘responsible remaining’ dilemmas.
Session 4 | Building Resilience: Embedding Human Rights into Crisis Preparedness and Response
25 February 2026, 14:00-16:00 GMT
This session will take a forward-looking approach to embedding human rights into corporate crisis planning and rapid response. Through facilitated discussion, attendees will explore how they can integrate practices into broader contingency planning to preserve respect for human rights and business continuity during sanctions, unrest, or sudden deterioration. Practitioners and subject-matter experts will offer emerging practices and lessons learned to help companies move from reactive to resilient planning.