UN FORUM ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS - Anniversary of the Slavery Convention

The year 2026 marks the centenary of the 1926 Slavery Convention, the first international treaty dedicated to the abolition of slavery and the slave trade. It also coincides with two significant contemporary milestones: the 10th anniversary of Alliance 8.7, the global partnership advancing action toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7, and the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Together, these anniversaries provide a unique opportunity to reflect on a century of efforts to eradicate slavery and address its contemporary manifestations, including forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage, forced marriage, and the worst forms of child labour.

While important progress has been made through the development of international legal frameworks, national action plans, human rights due diligence measures, and multi-stakeholder initiatives, contemporary forms of slavery continue to affect millions of people worldwide. Persistent implementation gaps, weak enforcement mechanisms, barriers to remedy, informal work, and supply chain risks and supply chain risks continue to undermine progress. Bringing together representatives from governments, employers and business membership organizations, workers’ organizations, civil society, survivor communities, and the UN/ILO system, this informal dialogue will take stock of lessons learned, identify remaining challenges, and explore how stronger collaboration, responsible business conduct, and accountability can accelerate action toward the eradication of contemporary forms of slavery.

Key Objectives

1. Reflect on progress and challenges in the global fight against contemporary forms of slavery by examining the evolution of international norms, the duty of states to protect human rights and the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, and multi-stakeholder partnerships over the past century.
2. Chart a concrete way forward to strengthen prevention, accountability, access to remedy, and worker-centered solutions, while leveraging the UNGPs and Alliance 8.7 to accelerate progress toward ending contemporary forms of slavery.

Key issues for reflection

1. What have been the most significant achievements and shortcomings in efforts to eradicate contemporary forms of slavery since the adoption of the 1926 Slavery Convention, and what lessons should guide future action?
2. How can governments, businesses, workers’ organizations, and civil society better leverage human rights due diligence, responsible business conduct and collective action to prevent and address forced labour and other human rights abuses in supply chains?
3. What concrete commitments and collaborative actions are needed over the next decade to combat and eradicate forced labour, improve access to remedy, and ensure that the voices and leadership of affected communities and survivors are a part of anti-slavery efforts?