Date and venue: 27 October 2026, 09.00-15.30 at the Government Quarter
Hosts: The National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct, Norway, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
Conference host: Håkon Haugsbø
This year marks 50 years since the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct were adopted – the world’s leading global standard for responsible business conduct. The Guidelines are recommendations from governments to enterprises. Norway has been an active contributor since the very beginning. The anniversary in 2026 gives an important opportunity to highlight the importance of the Guidelines in a context marked by geopolitical instability, technological transformation, planetary crises, and expectations regarding due diligence and transparency. The event will demonstrate how the Guidelines can support public authorities, enterprises, trade unions and civil society and will explore the following key themes.
Just transition: A green energy transition is necessary to reduce the negative impacts of climate change. At the same time, it is driving a rapid increase in the global demand for minerals and land for solar and wind power. The World Bank has estimated that more than half of the world’s known reserves of critical minerals are located on or near Indigenous Peoples’ lands. A just transition concerns how this shift can be carried out in a way that safeguards human rights, nature and local communities.
Artificial intelligence and responsible business conduct: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant opportunities for innovation, efficiency and improved decision-making. However, it also entails risks that governments and businesses must manage. Responsible data use, algorithmic risk, non-discrimination and transparency are core elements of responsible AI use, and a necessary foundation for realizing AI’s potential.
The Transparency Act – experiences to date and the road ahead: Norway’s Transparency Act makes the OECD’s due diligence framework a legal requirement and grants the public a right to information from companies. What are the experiences after four years of implementation? What should be done to ensure that the Act promotes human rights and contributes to a level playing field? After several rounds of negotiations, the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) was finally adopted in the spring of 2026. How will this affect the Transparency Act?
Access to remedy: Access to effective grievance mechanisms and remedy for adverse labour and other human rights impacts remains a key challenge for state and non-state actors. What lessons can be learned from the FIFA World Cup and other mega-sport events when it comes to establishing mechanisms that can deliver real and effective remedy in the future? This part of the program is developed in collaboration with the Norwegian Football Federation.
Part I: 50 years with the OECD Guidelines
(This part will be conducted in Norwegian)
09.00 – 09.30 Registration and coffee
09.30 – 09.35 Welcoming remarks, Frode Elgesem and Kristel Tonstad, NCP Norway
09.35 – 09.45 Unrest in global supply chains – Norwegian priorities, State secretary Vegard Wennesland, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Fisheries
09.45 – 10.15 From voluntary recommendations to legal requirements – 50 years of RBC, Allan Jørgensen, OECD and Henrik Syse, PRIO
10.15 – 10.50 Security, energy and transition: How to respect human rights in times of crisis?
Panel discussion with Bård Vegar Solhjell, Renewables Norway, Ellen-Sara Sparrok, Saami Council and Liv Tørres, Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO)
10.50 – 11.05 Climate and environmental targets post-Paris: The world and Norway – where next? Christine Tørklep, CICERO
11.05 – 11.55 Lunch
11.55 – 12.10 Responsible use of AI: Risk, regulation and competitiveness, Ishita Barua, University of Agder
12.10 – 13.00 Taking stock of the Transparency Act: Impact and the way forward
Introduction by Minister Lene Vågslid, Minister of Children and Families
Panel discussion with Christoffer Bjørnum, Norwegian Consumer Authority, Tale Hungnes, Future in our Hands, Espen Knudsen, the Norwegian Institute of Public Accountant and Turi Regine Pettersen, Advania
ANNIVERSARY CAKE and music by Bretton Woods
Part II: Access to remedy – legacies from the past and learnings for the future
(This part will be conducted in English)
13.45 – 13.55 Opening remarks, State secretary Andreas Kravik, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
13.55 – 14.10 Why does the football federation engage with human rights? Lise Klaveness, Norwegian Football Federation
14.10 – 14.55 Access to remedy in sports: From commitment to practice
Panel discussion with Lise Klaveness, Norwegian Football Federation, Alison Biscoe, Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Paola Cammilli, Building and Wood Workers International, Allan Jørgensen, OECD and Presilia Mpanu-Mpanu, UEFA
Moderator: Frode Elgesem, NCP Norway
14.55 – 15.25 Beyond sports – building remedy ecosystems for the future
Panel discussion with Mauricio Lazala, OHCHR, Heidi Furustøl, Ethical Trade Norway, Nina Schefte, Hydro and Kelly Fay Rodriguez, Competence Centre for HRDD
Moderator: Per N. Bondevik, NCP Norway
15.25 – 15.30 Closing remarks