Insights from the 2026 Consultations

To ensure the Forum is grounded in regional realities and reflects diverse perspectives, a series of stakeholder consultations were conducted to co-design the Forum’s priorities, thematic focus and design. These consultations provide the basis for identifying key areas of convergence, emerging priorities, and practical entry points for advancing implementation - informing both the structure and substance of the 2026 Forum. The consultations were conducted from 6–10 April 2026 and were conducted with representatives from three stakeholder groups – businesses, civil society, and consultancies. 

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A summary of consultations can be seen in the full consultation report; however, key messages included: 

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• Implementation is now the defining challenge. While policy frameworks, due diligence approaches, and NAPs are expanding, their translation into consistent, credible practice remains uneven, particularly in complex supply chains. 

• Resilience has emerged as a central but contested concept. Stakeholders emphasized that it must go beyond business continuity to address structural risks, accountability, and power imbalances, ensuring risks are not shifted onto workers and communities. 

• Progress is visible across multiple areas. This includes expansion of due diligence frameworks, increased attention to forced labor and ethical recruitment, and growing awareness among workers and rights holders. However, the tangible impacts on communities and workers are yet to be fully seen.

• Persistent system gaps remain. Key challenges include blind spots in deep-tier supply chains, access to effective remedies, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and regulatory clarity and enforcement. 

• Business participants highlighted growing operational pressures. Maintaining human rights commitments amid geopolitical disruption, regulatory complexity, and economic constraints remains a key challenge, alongside the need to translate broad commitments into measurable outcomes. 

• The Forum must evolve to remain relevant. Stakeholders called for a stronger focus on practical, case-based learning, collaborative problem solving, and more balanced participation, particularly increased engagement from businesses and underrepresented groups.