Dr Maryam Lotfi champions corporate human rights at 14th United Nations Forum
9 January 2026
Cardiff Business School is proud to highlight the global engagement of Dr Maryam Lotfi at the 14th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva.
The UN Forum welcomes more than 4,000 participants from governments, non-profit organisations, businesses, civil society, academia, legal experts, and international agencies. It stands as the world’s largest and most influential gathering dedicated to business and human rights. It serves as a crucial platform for dialogue, networking, and collective action to advance the protection of vulnerable workers worldwide.
During the Forum, Dr Lotfi contributed to key discussions on gender-responsive human rights due diligence, labour migration, and the diffusion of accountability across multi-tier global supply chains. Her interventions highlighted the urgent need to centre policy debates and business practices on the lived experiences of individuals facing exploitation and inequality.
As Co-Director of the Modern Slavery and Social Sustainability (MSSS) Group, Dr Lotfi plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between academia, industry, government, and civil society. Under her leadership, the Group has become a dynamic hub for international engagement and civic impact, bringing stakeholders together to advance more ethical, humane, and socially sustainable supply chains.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Dr Lotfi said:
Being part of the UN Forum reminds me how essential it is to connect rigorous thinking with the realities lived by vulnerable workers. When over 4,000 voices come together, from governments and businesses to non-profit organisations and survivors themselves, it becomes clear that meaningful change happens only through shared responsibility and genuine collaboration.
Dr Lotfi’s contribution to the 14th UN Forum further strengthens Cardiff Business School’s commitment to public value Cardiff University global civic mission and its growing visibility in global conversations on modern slavery and human rights. Her work continues to exemplify Cardiff University’s dedication to shaping a fairer, safer, and more responsible future for workers across the world.
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Dr Maryam Lotfi
Senior Lecturer of Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Deputy Head of Section Research, Impact and Innovation