The Institute joins UN Global Compact platform for sustainable ocean business

The ocean is a source of life and livelihoods and business sectors such as shipping, fisheries, aquaculture and renewable energy all depend on the sea. However, if not done responsibly, ocean business activities can have adverse impacts on the human rights of those working in the sectors and its value chains, and those depending on the sea, including small-scale fishers, indigenous peoples and coastal communities.

Therefore, the Danish Institute for Human Rights is working with a wide range of actors to promote a human rights-based approach to fisheries and aquaculture. With this work, the Institute aims to promote the human rights aspects of sustainable development and ensure implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs); the key framework to promote and respect human rights by states and businesses. 

To further strengthen this work, the Institute has decided to join the UN Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Business Action Platform, which consists of oceans business, civil society organisations, academia and UN agencies.

“We look forward to collaborating with and contributing to the platform, together with our partners to raise the human rights aspects of oceans businesses and contribute to better protection for those affected by human rights violations,” says Birgitte Feiring, department director at the Danish Institute for Human Rights.