Last week, a CIDSE delegation — represented by Susana Hernandez from the Secretariat, François Mercier from Fastenaktion, Chris O’Connell from Trócaire, together with Panuga Pulenthiran from Franciscans International — was in Geneva to push for real progress on a UN legally binding instrument on business and human rights to help end corporate impunity, ensure accountability and ensure that the voices of affected communities are heard and reflected in proposals put forward by states.
The occasion was the first and second intersessional thematic consultations of the United Nations OEIGWG on transnational corporations and other business enterprises, organised ahead of the 12th Session, scheduled from 19 to 23 October 2026. Participation from various State delegations and civil society organisations was higher than expected.
The first thematic consultation, held on 7 and 8 April focused on Articles 12 to 24. CIDSE and its member organisations delivered oral statements on the following articles:
- Article 14 (Consistency with international law)
- Article 15 (Institutional arrangements)
- Article 16 (Implementation)
It was followed by a second thematic consultation on 9 and 10 April which focused on Article 1 (Definitions), Article 2 (Statement of Purpose), and Article 3 (Scope). CIDSE and its member organisations delivered oral statements on the following articles:
- Article 1 (Definitions)
- Article 2 (Statement of purpose)
- Article 3 (Scope)
CIDSE delegates left with a sense of progress, but also with concern: consensus on a legally binding instrument to hold corporations accountable remains elusive.
Watch CIDSE’s analysis on the main outcomes of the intersessionals by Chris O’Connell from Trócaire:
Next Steps:
28-29 May: Third intersessional thematic consultation focusing on Article 3 (Scope), Geneva. Source: OEIGWG Chair-Rapporteur 2025 updated road map.
Additional resources
- Business & Human rights: UN Negotiations to resume, CIDSE, February 2026
- CODACOP – a partner from CIDSE member organisations in Colombia – denounces oil companies’ abuses affecting communities in La Esmeralda and Loma de Tigre in Colombia. Watch the video.
CIDSE contact: Susana Hernández Torres, Corporate Regulation Officer (hernandez(at)cidse.org)
Cover image: CIDSE delegates at the UN thematic consultations on Legally Binding Instrument, Geneva, April 2026. Credit CIDSE.