In a report to the UN General Assembly, Cecilia Bailliet, the UN Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity, emphasized that increasing global inequality and social polarization demand greater responsibility from corporations in addressing shared global challenges. She noted that the market value of the world’s largest companies now surpasses the GDP of many countries, placing significant responsibility on them to contribute positively to society and community well-being.
The report highlights that as corporations play a growing role in providing basic services such as food, water, housing, and energy, States must ensure that businesses respect consumer rights, support sustainable production, uphold fair labor standards, safeguard environmental protection, and contribute to sustainable peace and development. Bailliet also expressed concern over harmful corporate influence in politics and culture, as well as the increasing use of legal intimidation, surveillance, and criminalization against activists defending human rights and the environment.
She urged governments to implement robust due diligence legislation that requires corporations to undergo independent assessments of human rights and environmental risks, with even stricter scrutiny in conflict-affected contexts. Despite current challenges, Bailliet stressed that corporations have the opportunity to become powerful forces for good by working collaboratively with governments, civil society, international organizations, and faith-based institutions. Such cooperation, she said, is essential to advancing social inclusion, sustainability, and a modern multilateral system grounded in international solidarity.
