Overview

The 1^st IOE Asia-Pacific Business and CSO Stakeholder Engagement Dialogue will provide a structured and inclusive platform for businesses, civil society organisations (CSOs), and other stakeholders to exchange practical experiences on strengthening stakeholder engagement as a core element of responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence (HRDD).

Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain pressures, and growing expectations for responsible business conduct, the session will explore how businesses and CSOs can move beyond adversarial dynamics to build trust, strengthen dialogue, and improve collaboration. Rather than focusing on policy debates, discussions will centre on practical experiences, operational challenges, and lessons learned from stakeholder engagement in diverse business contexts across the Asia-Pacific region.

Designed as an interactive roundtable, the session will encourage open dialogue, peer learning, and exchange of good practices. Through moderated discussion, practical case examples, and audience participation, participants will identify practical approaches to strengthening trust, improving stakeholder engagement processes, and supporting more effective implementation of responsible business conduct.

Why it matters

Building resilience requires trust, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and constructive collaboration. Yet businesses and civil society often face barriers to dialogue, differing expectations, and limited opportunities for practical exchange. This session creates a structured multi-stakeholder space to share experiences, strengthen mutual understanding, and explore practical approaches that support more effective implementation of responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence.

Key questions

• How can businesses and civil society build more trusted, constructive, and effective stakeholder relationships?

• What practical approaches are helping companies engage meaningfully with stakeholders throughout the HRDD process?

• What are the main barriers to effective business-CSO collaboration, and how can they be overcome?

• How can dialogue and collective action contribute to more resilient businesses and better human rights outcomes across the Asia-Pacific region?

Who should attend?

This session is intended for a group of stakeholders, including businesses (large companies and SMEs), Employers' and Business Membership Organisations (EBMOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), trade unions and worker representatives, government representatives, national human rights institutions, international organisations, and other Forum participants interested in strengthening stakeholder engagement and collaborative approaches to responsible business conduct.

What participants will gain

• Practical insights into building trust and strengthening stakeholder engagement between businesses and civil society.

• Concrete examples of collaborative approaches supporting effective HRDD and responsible business conduct.

• Lessons learned on addressing common barriers to dialogue, participation, and collaboration.

• A better understanding of the perspectives, expectations, and operational realities of different stakeholders.

• New opportunities for cross-sector networking, peer learning, and future collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region.