Geneva, 21–22 October 2025 — The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) successfully held its 3rd Global Multinational Companies (MNC) Conference at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Headquarters in Geneva. The two-day event brought together trade union leaders, representatives of multinational companies, financial institutions, researchers, and human rights due diligence experts to strengthen dialogue and cooperation across global supply chains.

This year’s conference took place under the theme “Utilising and Renewing International Framework Agreements (IFAs) in the Context of Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)”, reflecting the growing importance of aligning corporate responsibility with workers’ rights on the ground. 

A Conference of Dialogue and Shared Learning

This year’s event placed strong emphasis on open discussion and joint problem-solving. Participants examined how International Framework Agreements (IFAs) — BWI’s cornerstone tool for promoting global labour standards — are being implemented in practice.

Delegates shared both achievements and challenges, recognising that while IFAs have led to tangible progress in many multinational operations, further efforts are needed to strengthen their reach and ensure meaningful worker participation.

A Comprehensive Programme with Strong Participation

Over two days, participants engaged in a rich and diverse programme that covered the major trends and challenges shaping the building, wood, and related sectors:

• Trends and Future Markets: exploring new dynamics in global construction and manufacturing, through the presentation of the conference study: 2025 - MNC Conference Report
• Due Diligence, Procurement and Safeguards: discussing how responsible procurement and financial standards can support workers’ rights.
• Deep Dive Sessions: focused on forced labour and recruitment, climate change and heat stress, and certification schemes and living wages.
• The Value of IFAs in a New Global Environment: analysing how agreements can evolve to address changing business realities.

In total, 41 panellists shared their insights, representing trade unions, multinational companies, development banks, certification bodies, and civil society. The debates were lively, forward-looking, and solution-oriented.

Key Outcomes: Cooperation and Renewal

Across all sessions, participants agreed on several priorities for the coming years:

• Strengthening the implementation and awareness of IFAs, ensuring that commitments translate into real improvements for workers.
• Building trust through ongoing dialogue and experience sharing between unions and multinational partners.
• Expanding cooperation with companies and financiers to address rights challenges in complex supply chains.

Delegates also highlighted the need to link IFAs more closely with emerging Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) frameworks, ensuring that workers’ voices and union participation are embedded in every stage of risk management and remedy.

Participants included representatives from:

BWI affiliates and partners, the International Labour Organization, Shift Project, Blue Dot Network, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Committee on Workers’ Capital, BESIX, SEOPAN, ACCIONA, Société des Grands Projets, Inter IKEA Group, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), PEFC International, and the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, among others.