Advancing a Rights-based Approach to Addressing Mercury Contamination | Minamata COP-5 Online Event

This online event to the 5th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury is jointly organized by the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, UNEP, ILO, UNECE, and the Geneva Environment Network.

About this Session

In July 2022, the General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. The resolution, which followed recognition of the right by the Human Rights Council in October 2021 was an unprecedented decision, adopted with unparalleled support (161 votes in favor, no votes against, and eight abstentions).

The adoption of this landmark resolution is an important step toward securing the enjoyment for all people of non-toxic environments in which to live, work, study and play and ensuring inclusive, evidence-based and accountable environmental action.

Moreover, in June 2022, the International Labour Organization’s International Labour Conference made a historic decision to amend the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998) to include “a safe and healthy working environment” as a fundamental principle and right at work. Nevertheless, millions of workers around the world continue to be exposed to hazardous levels of mercury, highlighting the need for urgent action to address this persistent occupational safety and health (OSH) challenge.

This event will explore recent developments in our understanding of the interconnectedness between human rights, occupational safety and health, a just transition and the environment, and identify key entry points to strengthen a human rights-based approach to the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Drawing upon the voices of the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, key UN partners and activists, the panel will be invited to share specific examples of rights-based environmental action targeting emissions and releases of mercury and highlight how States can take more effective action through compliance with their obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights to meet their commitment and obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Minamata COP-5 Online Events

This event is part of the Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (Minamata COP-5), taking place in Geneva from 30 October to 3 November 2023. Minamata COP-5 Online Events will take place during the week of 9 to 13 October 2023. → Find more information on the official website.