Three Thematic Perspectives

Dorothée Baumann-Pauly is Director of the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights at the Geneva School of Economics and Management, University of Geneva, and an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Management. She is also Research Director at the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights. Her work focuses on business ethics, corporate responsibility, private governance, sustainable business models, and the integration of human rights principles into business practice. She has published extensively on how companies can develop models that align profitability with social responsibility and human rights. With extensive experience across academia, policy, and in the field, Dorothée brings a leading perspective on responsible business conduct, sustainable finance, and the role of companies and investors in addressing human rights challenges in global value chains.

Hugo Zala is an independent researcher from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specializing in economic intelligence, public policy modelling, digital economy, natural resources, investment project modelling, and defence policy issues in the Great Lakes region. He is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Observatory of Economy and Management at the Université Technologique Bel Campus, Vice-President of the CEVIST Research Centre, President of the Research Council at Ausdi Consulting, and Economist at the Regulatory Authority for Post and Telecommunications. Since 2015, his work has focused on the digital economy, natural resource economics, investment project modelling, and the development of measurable policy and investment objectives. His research contributes to a deeper understanding of the economic, institutional, and security challenges shaping the future of the DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.

Mark Assaf is Chief of the Human Resources Development Section – TrainForTrade, within the Transport and Logistics Branch of the Division of Trade and Logistics at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). With more than 25 years of experience in international trade, he leads global capacity-building programmes in port management, trade statistics, e-commerce, and the digital economy. His work focuses on strengthening institutional capacity, promoting digital innovation, and supporting sustainable and inclusive trade policies. A strong advocate for international cooperation and SDG 17, Mark Assaf brings deep expertise in trade facilitation, transport and logistics, digital transformation, and development-oriented economic policy. He holds a master’s degree in economics from the Free University of Brussels, Belgium.