A/HRC/20/29 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 17/4, the Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework. This landmark decision by the Council marked the first time an intergovernmental body of the United Nations had endorsed a normative document on the previously very divisive issue of business and human rights. The endorsement by the Council effectively established the Guiding Principles as the authoritative global standard for preventing and addressing adverse impacts on human rights arising from businessrelated activity. 2. In resolution 17/4, the Human Rights Council decided to establish a working group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises with a mandate to, inter alia:  Promote the effective and comprehensive dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles  Identify, exchange and promote good practices and lessons learned on the implementation of the Guiding Principles and to assess and to make recommendations thereon and, in that context, to seek and receive information from all relevant sources  Support capacity-building and, upon request, provide advice and recommendations regarding the development of domestic legislation and policies relating to human rights and business  Explore options and make recommendations for enhancing access to effective remedies available to those whose human rights are affected by corporate activities, including those in conflict areas  Integrate a gender perspective throughout the work of the mandate and give special attention to persons living in vulnerable situations, in particular children  Guide the work of the Forum on Business and Human Rights, open to relevant stakeholders, to discuss trends and challenges in implementing the Guiding Principles and promote dialogue and cooperation on issues linked to business and human rights 3. At its eighteenth session, the Human Rights Council appointed five independent experts, of balanced geographical representation, for a period of three years, as members of the Working Group: Michael Addo, Alexandra Guáqueta, Margaret Jungk, Puvan Selvanathan and Pavel Sulyandziga. 4. Directly after taking up its functions in November 2011, the Working Group made a public call to States and other stakeholders for input to help inform its planning, methods of work and focus areas. More than 75 submissions were received before the first session of the Working Group, held from 16 to 20 January 2012. During the first session, the Working Group also engaged in introductory exchanges with more than 140 stakeholders from 103 organizations and with delegations representing some 58 States Members of the United Nations. The Working Group is deeply grateful to all who have contributed to and participated in its work to date. 5. The present report was drafted over a short period following the January session. It contains the Working Group’s preliminary considerations concerning the background and 3