This is a report of the work of the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA) during 2022 for partners, funders and member organisations of ACCA. During this year, ACCA has already been engaged in numerous events related to advocacy, research, civic engagement, and education. As we write this narrative report, we are preparing for our 8th ACCA General Assembly which will provide a meeting place for ACCA members and African CSOs who share ACCA’s purpose of supporting African communities and individuals whose human rights are adversely impacted daily by the activities of corporations, both multi-national and domestic.
The 8th ACCA GA tooke place in Lilongwe, Malawi from 31 August-1 September 2022 and was hosted in partnership with the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD). Mr. Timothy Mtambo, Minister of Civic Education and National Unity of Malawi delivered the keynote address at the 2022 GA and discussed issues regarding the theme of the GA which is titled: Business, human rights and climate change: Interrogating the Intersection between business activities, corporate accountability and climate change in Africa. The 2022 GA also included participation by affected community members from Malawi and provide them with the platform to actively participate in discussion surrounding these topics and network with different civil society representatives from across Africa.
Our upcoming activities after the conclusion of the 2022 GA include representing ACCA members at the UN session on the legally binding instrument, engaging with African civil society organisations on issues of corporate accountability and climate change at COP 27, organising a session regarding the legally binding treaty at the first African Forum on Business and Human Rights, organising a webinar in partnership with yet to be confirmed organisations on issues of Chinese investment in Africa and participating in the African Union Commission on International Law sessions in December.
Evidently, we still have a busy schedule ahead for the rest of 2022 and we hope to adequately represent the interests of ACCA’s member organizations at these different fora. We look forward to the rest of 2022 and collaborating with our various members and partners on projects that will advance the human rights of communities experiencing the brunt of corporate activity on the continent. We would like to extend our gratitude to our various funders who make this work possible year after year. Thank you also to all our partners and members who work tirelessly towards this goal, we look forward to strengthening your hands in this important endeavour.
Dr Yolandi Meyer
Project Manager, ACCA