The 12th session of negotiations on the Binding Treaty closes in Geneva, Switzerland, with the groundwork set for 2027
16 October 2026, Geneva, Switzerland
Today the 12th round of the historic negotiations to create a legally binding treaty to hold transnational corporations (TNCs) accountable for Human Rights violations came to a close at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The week ended with the unanimous approval of the concluding recommendations by the Chair-Rapporteur, from the State of Ecuador. These lay the groundwork for 2027, including the publication of a new draft and three intersessional thematic consultations and the 13th session in October 2027, which will advance discussion on the key articles of the future treaty.
The proposal for an international tribunal on TNCs and human rights, a historic demand of the Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples’ Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity (Global Campaign), gained momentum. It was defended by Cuba and Palestine, with other states interested in joining the call. During the week,. The Global Campaign published a policy brief and organised a side event on the topic that drew strong participation from movements, civil society and several State delegations.
As in every round, the Global Campaign shaped the course of the discussion with more than 40 interventions that articulated the reality of the affected communities and gave legal proposals for the treaty. The Global Campaign’s presence is proving to be fundamental to the process. Despite a very challenging context, with the advance of far-right governments and a push for business deregulation, the Global Campaign remains committed to a strong Binding Treaty.
“The proposal for an international tribunal on TNCs and human rights is gaining momentum. This tribunal would be a checkmate on corporate impunity. It would deliver real access to justice for the communities whose lives, lands and livelihoods have been destroyed because of transnational corporations and their hunger for profit running rampant.”
Juliette Renaud (France), Les Amis de la Terre / Friends of the Earth France
“Young people are on the frontlines of struggles for water in Mexico, housing in Spain, and education in France. These fights for basic rights that are threatened by corporations actively confront corporate power. Our future depends on our ability to tackle corporate impunity.”
José Trevino (Mexico), Debt for Climate
“The old economic order, enforced through institutions like the IMF and the World Bank that are this week gathering in Thailand, is crumbling. These negotiations coincide with the Global Days of Action against ISDS, and the message is the same: the rules that protect corporate profits must give way to rules that protect people.”
Joseph Purugganan, Focus on the Global South and Asia Task Force on the Legally Binding Instrument.
“Corporate lobbies were in the room again this week as a devoted mouthpiece to the corporations they represent. These corporations destroy our lands and livelihoods and also are trying to destroy our hope for a better world in which justice prevails, but that remains firmly intact. We will not lose this and will keep our strength in this struggle to end imperialism and dismantle corporate power, especially when coming face to face with these lobbies.”
Nonhle Mbuthuma (South Africa), Amadiba Crisis Commitee
NOTE TO EDITORS
For further information or to arrange interviews with spokespeople you can contact:
Sol Trumbo Vila: soltrumbovila[a]tni.org
Ghislaine Fandel: ghislaine[a]foei.org
Raffaele Morgantini: raffaele[a]cetim.org
This press release is issued by the Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples’ Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity (Global Campaign), a network of over 250 social movements, civil society organisations, trade unions and communities affected by the activities of transnational corporations, representing 260 million people globally.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- UN library of official documents for the 12th Session
- Human Rights Council Procedural Decision A/HCR/56/116 adopted in July 2024 providing additional resources to the process.
- 26/9 Resolution that started this process adopted in 2014.
- Website Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples’ Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity.
- “Frontiers of an effective Binding Treaty”. Key arguments the Global Campaign puts forwards for an effective Binding Treaty
- Website Global Interparliamentary Network in support of the Binding Treaty
- Social Media: Content will be posted in EN and SP throughout the week via the Global Campaign Bluesky and Instagram accounts, focusing on live updates from Global Campaign spokespeople, actions, interventions and side events. Follow also #BindingTreaty #CheckMate