Published on 7 September 2018 in Client Alerts

A UN working Group issues draft binding international instrument on Business and Human Rights

In June 2014, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted a resolution drafted by Ecuador and South Africa to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group to elaborate an international legally binding instrument on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with respect to human rights.  Chaired by Ecuador, the intergovernmental working group (IGWG) has met three times (July 2015, October 2016 and October 2017).   Elements for a draft  legally binding instrument were issued by the Chair in September 2017, and a Zero Draft instrument and optional protocol were presented in July 2018 (a summary of the Zero Draft is available here).  A fourth IGWG session will be held in Geneva in October 2018.

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European Commission publishes long-awaited EU Space Act proposal

On 25 June 2025, the European Commission published a proposal for an EU Space Act.  The proposal seeks to establish an EU single market for the space sector, with common rules regarding safety, security and sustainability for all entities providing space-based services in Europe.

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Barbados victorious in International Court of Justice climate change decision

On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (the “ICJ”) issued its historic Advisory Opinion on the obligations of States with respect to climate change.  Barbados was a sponsor of the United Nations General Assembly request to the Court.

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United Nations Report Highlights Barbados as Global Leader in Multilateral Cooperation

Barbados has been ranked the world’s top performer in multilateral cooperation, according to the United Nations’ latest Multilateralism Index.

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Launch of the African Space Agency

On 20 April 2025, the African Union (“AU”) inaugurated the African Space Agency (“AfSA”).  AfSA is the third regional space agency, after the European Space Agency (“ESA”) and the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency.

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