Bangkok, The PRAKARSA - The PRAKARSA participated in the Asia Pacific UN Responsible Business and Human Rights (UNRBHR) Forum 2025 which took place at the United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand, on September 17–20, 2025. This annual forum, which is entering its seventh year, is the largest multi-stakeholder platform in the Asia Pacific region led by the United Nations, with a focus on responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence.
PRAKARSA Become a Co-Facilitator with HRDF
In this forum, Jati Pramono as the Program Manager represented PRAKARSA actively participated in several discussions, including co-facilitating a discussion group with the Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF) on "Business and Human Rights Remedies." This discussion highlighted the weak implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) and National Contact Point (NCP) mechanisms in Asian countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, and South Korea. Participants emphasized the need for stronger law enforcement, mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence legislation, and high-level political commitment to ensure human rights protection in business practices.
During the forum, various sessions discussed important issues such as:
- Corporate Accountability: the case of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, to advocacy for indigenous communities in Sumbawa, Indonesia, which highlights the negative impacts of extractive projects.
- Climate Change and Sustainable Development: challenges of policy implementation in ASEAN, conflicts between the right to development and the right to a healthy environment, and the need for corporate accountability.
- The Role of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): criticism of energy and extractive project financing practices that often shift risks to communities, especially vulnerable groups.
- Green Transition: community testimonials from Southeast Asia warn of the dangers of “green colonialism” if the energy transition is carried out without respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and the environment.
- Regenerative Business Model: introduction doughnut economy and equitable circular economy practices, as well as small business initiatives that integrate environmental principles with social justice.
Through active participation, PRAKARSA encouraging the business and human rights agenda in the Asia Pacific to not only become a global discourse, but also be translated into national policies that protect communities, especially vulnerable groups.
“This forum shows that without strong law enforcement and community engagement, international standards will remain mere documents on paper. PRAKARSA "We are committed to continuing to fight for more responsible, inclusive, and equitable business policies in Indonesia and Asia," said Jati Pramono. The Asia Pacific UNRBHR Forum 2025 is a strategic space to strengthen cross-border collaboration, share lessons learned, and encourage structural transformation in integrating human rights into business practices. Participation PRAKARSA while expanding the reach of institutional advocacy at the regional level to realize inclusive and socially just development.