Building on the high emphasis of climate change on the High Commissioner's opening address to the 48th Human Rights Council (HRC) session, QUNO Geneva addressed the HRC under Item 9, addressing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance; and follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

QUNO Geneva, in collaboration with Quaker organizations worldwide, - including Friends Committee on National Legislation, Quaker Earthcare Witness, and Friends World Committee for Consultation - drafted a statement (link below) commending the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent for its latest report (A/HRC/48/78). The statement also draws attention to systemic racism, environmental injustice, and unjust climate action (including for people of African descent), and alludes to the systemic changes needed to embed environmental justice in human-rights approaches; leading the way to more coherent, legitimate, and sustainable climate policies worldwide.

Please follow the link below for the full statement, or watch the video statement delivered by Programme Assistant for Climate Change and Sustainability, Andres Naranjo Jijon here.