Advancing a Human Rights-based Approach to Pollution for People and the Planet | BRS COPs 2023 Side Event

About this Event

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).

In March 2022, at the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly, Resolution 5/14 titled “End plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument” was adopted, calling for the development of a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with the ambition to complete the negotiations by the end of 2024.

In June 2022, the International Labour Conference also adopted a resolution on the right to a safe and healthy working environment, supporting a just transition to a low-carbon world.

The adoption of these landmark resolutions is an important step in 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.

This side event to the 2023 Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention Conference of the Parties, explored recent developments of the interconnectedness between human rights, a just transition and the environment, and identified key entry points to strengthen a human rights-based approach to the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, as well as the Minamata Convention on Mercury, including ways in which human rights could be applied to accelerate the sound management of chemicals and waste.

Drawing upon the voices of key UN partners and activists, the panel shared specific examples of rights-based environmental action targeting pollution, and highlight how States can take more effective action through compliance with their obligations to respect, protect and fulfill human rights to meet their commitment and obligations under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, as well as the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

This side event is organized by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Environment Programme, UN Development Programme, International Labour Organization, UN Economic Commission for Europe, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Minamata Convention on Mercury, UN Environment Management Group, and the Geneva Environment Network.

Speakers

By order of intervention.

Anita BREYER

President, 5th session of the International Conference for Chemicals Management (ICCM5) | Germany

H.E. Amb. Romy TINCOPA

Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Peru to the international organizations in Geneva

Christine FUELL

Executive Secretary a.i. Rotterdam Convention (FAO)

Joaquim PINTADO NUNES

Chief, Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch, ILO

Gilbert KUEPOUO

Executive Director, Research and Education Centre for Development | Steering Committee Member, IPEN, Cameroon

Shahriar HOSSAIN

Steering Committee Member, Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty | Steering Committee Member, IPEN, Bangladesh

Ghazali OHORELLA

Legal Counsel, International Indian Treaty Council

Ana Paula DE SOUZA

Human Rights Officer, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights | Moderator

Video

The event is livestreamed from CICG and via Webex.

Livestream from the room. 

Highlights

Photo Gallery

Documents

• Presentation

Links

• Towards the 2023 Meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
• Human Rights and the Environment
• Plastics and Human Rights | Plastics and the Environment Series