Background

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Emerging economies in Asia and Africa are asserting a unified global majority agenda, centered on inclusive economic partnerships, and sustainable development.[1] From policy milestones such as the historic inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20,[2] to the rapid expansion of trade and investment,[3] both continents are shaping a new era of multipolar economic and political engagement.

Born from common colonial histories, and driven by shared ambitions, Asia and Africa have seen transformative economic growth that has alleviated millions from poverty, and supported development of infrastructure, agribusiness, textiles, and extractives value chains. As Asian companies expand their global footprint, their operations are reshaping economies across Africa and beyond. But behind these economic transformations lie deep, unresolved issues around value chain transparency, limited due diligence, and under-reported human rights and environmental injustices – issues that policy movements ranging from National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights (NAPs) to regional declarations seek to address. For example, the Nairobi Declaration on Business and Human Rights (2022) underscores that sustainable development cannot come at the cost of human rights, calling for strengthened accountability in global supply chains, meaningful participation of affected communities, and renewed South–South cooperation.[4]

With growing momentum for African and Asian governments to adopt and implement National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights, and evolving global expectations on companies to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence, there is a unique opportunity to align global norms with local realities, amplifying the voices of workers, communities, and right-holders.

At the heart of these dynamics lies the question of the social contract between states, businesses, and rights-holders. As both regions advance green, digital, and industrial transformations, ensuring that business models respect human rights, protect the environment, and enable just transitions is crucial. Will Asian companies commit to responsible conduct abroad? Will the drive for growth overshadow accountability, or can investment become the vehicle for reshaping the rules of fairness, participation, and responsibility across Asia–Africa ties?

 

[1] https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2025/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2025.pdf

[2] https://www.pminewyork.gov.in/IndiaatUNGA?id=NTMyMA

[3] https://unctad.org/publication/world-investment-report-2025

[4] https://www.bhrafricaforum.org/nairobi-declaration

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Key Objectives

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• South-South Exchange: Draw lessons from Africa–Asia cooperation on responsible value chains, demonstrating how regional leadership can accelerate the implementation of the UNGPs

• Renew the Social Contract through Rights-Holder Engagement: Explore how rights-holder engagement in both regions can be integrated into business and human rights frameworks, especially due diligence practice, as drivers of accountability, and transparency.

• Building Trust in Transitions: Identify practical steps governments, businesses, and rights-holders can take to strengthen transparency, accountability, and remedy mechanisms.

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Guiding Questions

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• What are the human rights and environmental footprint of Asian businesses on Africa’s burgeoning economies?

• How can value chains be made more transparent so that growth benefits communities as well as markets?

• What role can rights-holders play in shaping and monitoring responsible business practices?

• How can Africa and Asia learn from each other’s experience in advancing responsible and sustainable business conduct for resilient economic development?

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Format

• This session will explore the human rights impacts of Asian outbound investment, highlight risks and opportunities for responsible conduct, and foster dialogue on how business, governments, and civil society can ensure investments abroad uphold rights and strengthen sustainable development. It will expand on how shared responsibilities can be operationalized in practice, and how the promise of strengthened South–South cooperation can be harnessed to renew the social contract for inclusive and accountable development.

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Session Partners