Council of Europe: first Forum on Business and Human Rights (BRAVE 2025)

In October 2025, the first Council of Europe Business and Human Rights Forum – BRAVE 2025 - took place in Strasbourg, where representatives of leading companies and policymakers gathered to explore ways to enhance cooperation in integrating human rights, democracy, and the rule of law into their operations.

The event showcased the Council of Europe’s standards and activities influencing business practices, including the European Convention on Human Rights and its interpretation by the European Court of Human Rights, the European Social Charter, as well as initiatives related to the environment and Artificial Intelligence. 

Opening the event, Secretary General Alain Berset said many business challenges can be addressed by strengthening democracy. He highlighted that the New Democratic Pact for Europe offers new opportunities for cooperation between the Council of Europe and business, linking democratic strength to economic performance.

Armenia’s Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan outlined efforts to promote corporate ethics, integrity, and non-discrimination through the national human rights strategy, affirming that “upholding human rights and running a successful business are complementary, not competing goals.”

Lyra Jakulevičienė of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights stressed that protecting human rights and the environment is a shared responsibility. “Economic development is not the opposite of human rights,” she said. “It’s about balance—development is only sustainable when rights are taken seriously.”

The event also showcased leading companies’ successful human rights–compliant business practices, demonstrating their economic and broader benefits, and served as a platform for dialogue between governments and business representatives.