UN Global Compact Network Australia: Unlocking outcomes on human rights and modern slavery in 2026
The UN Global Compact Network Australia have seen a step change in the challenges confronting sustainability professionals this year, highlighting a growing urgency to transition to a more sustainable economy, accompanied by deep shifts in the geopolitical landscape, rapid developments in technology and the use of genAI, growing inequality and fracturing social cohesion.
They believe the efforts to strengthen business approaches to human rights are more important now than ever, with effective approaches to modern slavery and human rights key to navigating these challenges successfully. They have recognised a need to establish a foundation for a just and sustained transition, and put in place the conditions for collective problem-solving at a global scale.
The question confronting business and human rights professionals now is how to cut through the overwhelm and best use (often limited) resources to move the dial on human rights, including modern slavery.
The UN Global Compact Network Australia addressed this at their 12th Australian Dialogue on Business and Human Rights, which took place as part of the inaugural UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum: Australia and New Zealand.
As businesses in Australia start to focus more closely on 2026 planning, the UN Global Compact Network Australia suggests businesses consider insights and opportunities from these ongoing discussions to work smarter, not harder.
- Prioritise focus and resources to achieve greater impact.
- Incorporate insights from lived experience.
- Embed a holistic approach to responsible and sustainable business.
- Build community with peers.
