The Ombudsman of Azerbaijan and the Asian Ombudsman Association have jointly organized an awareness-raising event on business and human rights

At the initiative of the Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, and with the organizational support of the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), an online event was held on “Business and Human Rights” for ombudsmen and NHRIs working in the Asian region. 

The event was joined by ombudspersons and NHRI representatives from Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Tatarstan, and other countries, members of the Ombudsman Association of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC OA), and representatives of state authorities and transnational companies. 

Greeting the participants when opening the event, the Ombudsman emphasized the importance of increasing attention to the issues related to business and human rights by the AOA, as an organization encapsulating the large region, for effective protection of human rights.  

It was said that in 2024, the Ombudsman Office prepared a national baseline assessment on Business and Human Rights considering the opinions and recommendations made by international experts. The participants of the online event were comprehensively informed about this document, which reflects the recommendations that will stimulate the improvement of this field at the national level.   

The international expert invited by the UNDP Country Office made a presentation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The participants held a broad discussion on how to strengthen the role of  ombudspersons and NHRIs in this field.