From Global Dialogue to Country-Level Implementation: Highlights of 2026 Annual Plenary

March 31, 2026 •

The Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) convened its 2026 Annual Plenary from March 24 to 26  in London, United Kingdom, bringing together over 140 participants for meetings, peer learning exchanges, country updates from VPI and Partner Working Groups, panel discussions, and networking.

The Annual Plenary remains a key event in the VPI calendar, providing a dedicated space for Members and Observers from across government, company, and civil society communities worldwide to come together in person to exchange perspectives, share practical experiences, and deepen collective understanding on the implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR). The event also offered an opportunity for participants to explore how the Initiative can continue to support implementation efforts in an evolving global context.

The plenary was opened by Alice Wyss, Senior Human Rights Advisor from the Government of the United Kingdom, which served as the Chair of the VPI for the past year. Ms. Wyss’ address was followed by a speech to the plenary by the Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs of Mozambique, His Excellency Mateus da Cecília Feniasse Saíze, who led a delegation of participants from the country, underscoring Mozambique’s continuous engagement with the Initiative.

This year’s event welcomed longtime participants alongside new Members and Observers who have joined the Initiative since the last plenary. Over the past year, the VPI has welcomed two new Engaged Members: Aris Mining, a gold mining company headquartered in Canada and the largest gold mining company in Colombia; and the Congolese NGO Observatoire Gouvernance et Paix (OGP), which currently chairs the VPI Partner In-Country Working Group in South-Kivu. Additionally, the World Gold Council (WGC) was approved as a new VPI Observer. The WGC is the global industry association and standard-setter for the gold mining sector.

Eight other organizations became Full Members of the Initiative over the past months, including seven NGOs with activities in Africa, Europe, and Latin America, and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The list of all new Full Members is below:

• Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• African Law Foundation (AfriLaw)
• Centro para Democracia e Direitos Humanos (CDD)
• Human Rights and Forest Brain Africa (HURIFBA)
• Instituto de Enseñanza para el Desarrollo Sostenible (IEPADES)
• Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA)
• SaferGlobe
• USALAMA

The VPI extends its thanks to all speakers and participants who contributed to an insightful and well-attended event in London. Special thanks also go to VPI Corporate Members ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies for their generous sponsorship of the reception held on the evening of March 25.

About the Voluntary Principles and the VPI

The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VSPHR) are an internationally recognized set of principles that guide companies on how to conduct their security operations while ensuring respect for human rights. To promote implementation of the Principles, the Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) was created. The Initiative is comprised of over 75 Members and Observers, including companies, governments, and non-governmental organizations, that share best practices and mutually support the implementation of the Principles.