A/HRC/31/50 they did not see any contradiction between the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and resolution 26/9, and that, although they believed the principles could be discussed throughout the working group session, they were willing to support the proposal of an extra panel discussion on the principles in the spirit of consensus–building, but did not support the second proposal to include the word “all” before “business enterprises” throughout the programme of work. 15. The Chair-Rapporteur, having heard the suggestions and concerns of various Member States, decided that there should be a break in the session so that informal consultations could take place in order to find a consensus and to allow for the adoption of the programme of work. 16. The Chair-Rapporteur reopened the meeting and, based on the different views heard during the informal consultations and in the spirit of finding consensus, reported on the discussions held during the break. Likewise, the European Union shared with the plenary one proposal to include a footnote in the programme of work instead of including the word “all”. The footnote would read: “This programme of work does not limit the scope of this working group, taking into consideration several calls for the discussion to cover transnational corporations as well as all other business enterprises”. The European Union recalled that it was not its proposal but that it could accept it so that the programme of work could be adopted without delay. A number of delegations expressed their views regarding the proposals. 17. Taking into account the opinions and comments expressed in the plenary, the ChairRapporteur presented a revised version of the programme of work, including an additional first panel discussion with the participation of the Chair of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, Michael Addo, but without the inclusion of the second amendment, given the lack of support from the floor to include the word “all” before the words “other business”, or to include a footnote to the programme of work. 18. The Chair-Rapporteur proposed that the first panel discussion on the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights take place immediately, followed by the next discussion, thereby leaving time for general statements. 19. In subsequent remarks, the European Union appreciated the addition of a panel discussion in the programme of work, but noted that it was unfortunate that the issue of the scope of the discussion had not been resolved. The European Union nevertheless did not block the adoption of the programme of work, and invited consultations on the next steps to start in an inclusive and transparent manner as soon as the session ended. 20. The Chair-Rapporteur then read through the revised programme of work and asked for comments for its adoption; as there where none, she declared it adopted. Then, the Chairperson-Rapporteur thanked the members of the working group and asked the Secretariat to share the adopted version. III. General statements 21. During the session, and throughout the panel discussions, the floor was open for general statements, the Chair-Rapporteur having reiterated her intention for the working group to proceed in a transparent, inclusive, consensual and objective manner. 22. A number of delegations, including one speaking on behalf of the Group of African States, noted that they were pleased to take part in the working group and voiced their positive support for the process, particularly in the context of the progressive development of international human rights law. They also noted that, while there were many economic 6