Latest news with #DamilolaOlawuyi
Muscat Daily
08-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman launches initiative to boost jobs for persons with disabilities
Muscat – A national initiative was launched on Tuesday to enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the private sector, reinforcing the sultanate's commitment to social inclusion and economic empowerment. The announcement was made during the opening of the Business and Human Rights Forum, organised by Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC) in cooperation with the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights. The initiative aims to promote equal opportunity and non-discrimination by ensuring fair access to employment across diverse private sector environments. It also seeks to implement the forum's outcomes through practical measures aligned with national employment targets and the broader objectives of justice, inclusion and sustainability. Held under the patronage of H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the two-day forum which opened on Tuesday has the participation of government institutions, private sector representatives, civil society, academia, UN agencies and international human rights experts. Dr Rashid bin Hamad al Balushi, Chairman of OHRC, said Oman has long adopted a balanced approach to development by linking economic freedom with social responsibility. He cited the Basic Law of the State and Oman Vision 2040 as key frameworks that uphold principles of good governance, sustainability and respect for human rights. Dr Rashid bin Hamad al Balushi 'Promoting human rights in the workplace is a strategic imperative,' Balushi said. 'It supports sustainable development and builds trust between employees, employers, investors and consumers.' Dr Damilola Olawuyi, a member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, commended Oman's new initiative, calling it an important step in aligning trade and employment policies with international human rights standards. He noted that more than 30 countries have adopted national action plans on business and human rights since 2011 and stressed the importance of responsible corporate conduct in advancing development goals. Dr Damilola Olawuyi The forum's opening day featured two thematic sessions. The first explored national and international frameworks for protecting human rights in business, including the UN Guiding Principles, legal protections in Oman, the role of Oman Vision 2040, and the contribution of higher education institutions in building awareness. The second session focused on shared responsibilities across institutions. Participants included representatives from the judiciary, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Protection Authority, and Ooredoo, which presented a case study on its workplace inclusion practices for persons with disabilities. The forum will continue on Wednesday with discussions on developing institutional policies to safeguard human rights. Representatives from the public, private and civil society sectors will examine strategies to enhance cross-sector collaboration and ensure effective implementation of rights-based practices. The forum supports Oman's broader efforts to integrate human rights into the business ecosystem, in line with Vision 2040 priorities and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It also aims to encourage dialogue, share experiences and address challenges in aligning domestic legislation with global standards.
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
HBKU UNESCO Chair on environmental law support
UNEP-sponsored event highlighted environmental law's role in advancing water security Doha – The UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) successfully co-organized the 6th MENA Environmental Law and Policy Scholars' Conference, which saw international experts reaffirm the importance of environmental law in advancing water security. Hosted in Riyadh by the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU) and Faculty of Law, Arab East Colleges, the conference convened scholars, educators, and practitioners for discussions and workshops on critical topics, including environmental law education, the role of the judiciary in climate justice, and regional water governance frameworks. In keeping with previous editions, the event was also an opportunity to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange between participants. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and SADER Legal Publishing assisted in the organization as sponsors, with the Rule of Law Programme Middle East & North Africa, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V., and UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development providing technical support. Commenting on the conference, Dr. Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, Professor, HBKU's College of Law, and UNESCO Chairholder on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, said: 'Environmental law is a core component of the region's efforts to advance water security. Through our ongoing collaboration with UNEP, ASSELLMU and Arab East Colleges, we work to strengthen environmental policy and legal frameworks around the Arab world by helping to build the expertise and research capacity of key organizations and institutions.' Dr. Olawuyi, SAN, played a key role in the conference, opening a roundtable discussion with a keynote address on enhancing judicial capacity for climate and environmental justice in the MENA region. He also presented and launched the book Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Law and Policy in the Middle East and North Africa Region. The conference also benefited from the contribution of two HBKU College of Law students. Elena Athwal, SJD Candidate, served on the jury of a session dedicated to early career researchers, giving them feedback on their projects alongside academic and industry experts. One of the early researchers was Cristina Al Thalathini, JD Candidate, who presented her ongoing project, 'Upscaling Eco-Innovative Technologies in Water Management through Public-Private Partnerships in Qatar.' The next edition of the MENA Environmental Law and Policy Scholars' Conference will be hosted in 2026 by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD). The UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development and the College of Law will continue to engage and support this critical event. About Hamad Bin Khalifa University Innovating Today, Shaping Tomorrow Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF), is a leading, innovation-centric university committed to advancing education and research to address critical challenges facing Qatar and beyond. HBKU develops multidisciplinary academic programs and national research capabilities that drive collaboration with leading global institutions. The university is dedicated to equipping future leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset and advancing innovative solutions that create a positive global impact. About the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development The UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development (ELSD) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) harnesses research, teaching, knowledge exchange and international cooperation on Environmental Law as a tool for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This Chair is the first that focuses on Environmental Law and one of the very first in the entire MENA region to focus on the Sustainability Science aspect of the UNESCO Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme.
