Efforts to establish a universal human right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment continue at the Human Rights Council. 

On 10th March, at the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council, QUNO's Human Impacts of Climate Change programme endorsed a joint statement by the Right to a Healthy Environment Campaign, under the General Debate on Item 3, calling for the Council to adopt the universal right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

As part of our recent efforts to raise the issue of racial injustice in migration governance, QUNO had the opportunity to address the 46th session of the Human Rights Council as part of the Panel Debate on Racial Discrimination. (Full video of the statement available below)

In line with our continued efforts to strengthen the human rights of migrants, QUNO delivered an oral statement at the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council as part of the interactive dialogue with the  Special Rapporteur on minority issues. (Full statement available below)

QUNO’s Sustainable and Just Economic Systems programme has been closely involved in discussions on trade and environment between members at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In this space, QUNO prioritises supporting members to work collaboratively on trade policies which support global environmental sustainability and ensure a sustainable and just future for all.

QUNO welcomes the UN High Commissioner’s report on Covid-19 and human rights and its emphasis on structural inequality and discrimination.  In an oral statement to the 46^th Session of the Human Rights Council we responded to this report, focusing on the human rights of migrants. (Full video of the statement is available below)

With the postponement of the 26th Conference of the Parties under the UNFCCC (COP26) to November 2021, many in the climate sphere are reflecting on how to keep up the momentum on international climate negotiations as well as support increased ambition on climate action in 2020. This was the central topic discussed by panelists on the “COP26: Ramp Up the Ambition” panel co-hosted by QUNO as part of the “Faiths Unite: Visions for Transformative Climate Action” online events series last week.