NAIROBI, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The third African Business and Human Rights Forum opened Wednesday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, with delegates calling for embedding the principles of equity, fairness and inclusion in the continent's private sector.
The two-day forum, convened by a consortium of United Nations agencies and regional blocs, is being held under the theme "Promoting responsible business conduct in a rapidly changing world."
Over 500 participants, including policymakers, industry executives, diplomats, representatives of academia and civil society, are attending the forum that aims to foster dialogue and peer-to-peer learning on adopting business models that advance ethical and sustainable practices.
Kenyan Attorney General Dorcas Oduor said African countries should enact policies and laws that advance rights-centered commercial activities to foster peace, harmony, inclusivity and sustainable growth on the continent.
"There is a growing recognition across Africa of the critical intersection between business activities and the protection of human rights," Oduor said, stressing that Kenya is the first African country to develop a national action plan on business and human rights.
Oduor urged African governments to enact progressive regulations to ensure that economic development is not detrimental to civil rights and the dignity of local communities.
Some of the topics lined up for discussion at the forum include how businesses can leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and transform the continent through sustainable and ethical practices.
In addition, delegates will pay attention to the responsible use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to foster green and inclusive business practices.
Sanda Ojiambo, assistant secretary-general and chief executive officer of UN Global Compact, said foreign and indigenous companies based in Africa should incorporate human rights and ecological integrity across their value chains.
According to Ojiambo, for businesses to be an integral part of Africa's socioeconomic transformation, they should eschew rights violations, enforce workers' safety, and respect gender and cultural rights.
By adhering to responsible and ethical practices, companies operating in Africa will be guaranteed competitiveness, credibility, and improved relationships with consumers and regulators, Ojiambo said.
Zeynu Ummer, director of the Resilience Hub for Africa at the UN Development Program, stressed that robust policy and regulatory safeguards are crucial to ensure that rapid economic growth being experienced in the continent is inclusive and ethical and promotes the basic rights of local communities.
Ummer also emphasized that a conducive regulatory environment combined with the sharing of best practices will be crucial to ensuring that businesses are agents of positive change, equitable growth and shared prosperity in Africa. ■