Third Committee, 19th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 80th session

The 19th meeting of the Third Committee at the 80th session of the General Assembly is called to order. I now invite the Committee to continue its consideration of agenda item 71, entitled "Promotion and protection of human rights", and its sub-items A to B. I wish to remind delegations that the deadline for the submission of draft proposals under this agenda item is 1 p.m. on Tuesday 4th of November. Again, 1 p.m. on Tuesday 4th of November. This afternoon, the Committee will hold a combined briefing on the environmental cluster followed by an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. The Committee will first hear two introductory presentations before proceeding with the joint single interactive dialogue during which delegations can make comments or propose questions to one or both presenters in this cluster. I would like to welcome our distinguished speakers for the combined briefing, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to clean, healthy and sustainable environment, Ms. Astrid Fontes, Wianu, hope I didn't mess that name up, and the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change, Ms. Elisa Mgina. Participants wish to make comments and pose questions to the two speakers are invited to press their microphone button within the next 6 minutes after which the list will be closed. The time limit for each speaker will be announced before the floor is given to the first intervention. I thank you for your cooperation. I invite the special rapporteur on the human rights to clean, healthy, and sustainable environment to make an introductory statement. This way.

Thank you very much, Chair. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, representatives from UN, ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to present to you at this 80th General Assembly my third report. Before doing so and joining other mandate holders, I want to unconditionally denounce the US government sanctions on my colleague, the Special Rapporteur on the OPT, Francesca Albanesi, and express my full solidarity with her. Sanctioning a Special Rapporteur appointed by the Human Rights Council violates international law and is a direct attack on the integrity of the UN human rights system, including special procedures. I call on states to act decisively to denounce these sanctions refuse to carry them out and to the US to immediately withdraw them. Going back to my report, last year during our interactive dialogue on the overview of the right to a healthy environment, many of you requested specific recommendations on how to better implement this right. The report that you have today in your hands, containing a framework for environmental, social, and human rights impact assessments, is precisely that. Based on international law obligations and identifying challenges and best practices, this report will help states, UN entities, businesses, indigenous peoples, movements, and organizations to better understand existing frameworks and how they must be strengthened and make sure these assessments are comprehensively evaluating potential impacts. EIA's are mandatory under customary international law, and they're also the world's most common legally mandated environmental protection mechanism included today in regional treaties and in over 180 national legislations. However, worldwide, the purpose and scope of impact assessments processes are often ignored. Challenges include conflict of interest, failure to prioritize prevention over harm, and excessive emphasis on mitigation, along with poor quality assessments. Also, the misconception that these procedures are only steps to check the box and even obstacles to progress. Project fragmentation and arbitrary exceptions for sectors or projects arguing national interest or national security without adequately evaluating the need and proportionality of impact of the projects, nor science-based decisions that even are related with fossil fuel projects and despite the high risk of these activities and stringing due diligence that states have is also an additional challenge. as well as poor monitoring and compliance and weakening the rule of law. Investors state dispute settlement processes having a chilly effect on states and neglecting procedural rights are other main challenges. Ensuring that EIA's are properly done is critical, especially in the context of the existent triple planetary crisis. Thus, instead of increasing current deregulation wave, as I have observed in several states and regions, or excluding sectors or projects that pose important risks for human rights and a healthy environment, states must guarantee that all impact assessments are effectively regulated and be prior to the activities, be comprehensive, including direct, indirect, domestic, transboundary, cumulative, long and short term impacts, climate, biodiversity, environment, health, cultural, social and human rights impacts. The evaluation of impacts regarding climate must also include scope one, two, and three emission from projects, and states must follow international law principles, including precaution, prevention, proportionality, best available science, and including also indigenous science and maximum disclosure and equity and non-discrimination. Assessments must be prepared by independent and qualified experts and ensure access to information, public participation, access to justice and remedy in all steps of the process, guaranteeing as well special measures for the protection of the rights of marginalized communities. This framework that I'm presenting to you today is based on international law, including the advisory opinion from the ICJ from last July, clarifying states' obligations in relation to climate that was requested by this mere General Assembly. In that, the ICJ concluded that all states have an erga omnes obligation to prevent environmental harm, that EIAs are mandatory to comply with this obligation, and specifically to prevent transboundary harm, and that the human right to a healthy environment is a precondition. It is interdependent, and it is essential for the enjoyment of all human rights, but also fundamental for states to fulfill all other human rights. Finally, in this initial intervention, I want to highlight the recommendations for states, including to effectively regulate and always request and conduct effective, comprehensive, integrated, and adequate environmental, social, and human rights impact assessments, as well as address and prevent situations of conflict of interest and the undue influence or bias decision-making processes, abstain from weakening regulations and excluding potential harmful sectors, and build and strengthen capacities on national and subnational authorities. Businesses must also comply and contribute with this process, as well as international financial institutions and UN entities that must update their assessment guidelines or safeguards for projects in which they are involved in any way to make sure that these assessments are comprehensive and incorporate human rights and climate-related impacts. I thank you for your attention. and look forward for the interactive dialogue and further supporting states and all other actors to make sure that this framework will be useful.

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. I now invite the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change to make to make an introductory statement. Ms. Mojibor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates. This year, I have focused my thematic reports on the human rights-based approach to the energy transition. First of all, with a view to fully understanding international human rights law obligations related to fossil fuels, which was conducted in my report to the Human Rights Council. And in that connection, it is worth recalling at the outset how the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on state obligations on climate change has confirmed the internationally unlawful nature of fossil fuel production, expansion, consumption, and subsidies, subject to a case-by-case assessment of states' stringent due diligence in preventing significant harm to the climate system and the environment. And today I'm presenting a report to the UN General Assembly to complement the findings and recommendations on the human rights imperative of defossilizing our economies. This new report offers an in-depth understanding of the human rights-based approach to the development of renewable energy and the reliance on energy transition minerals. It is undisputable that renewable energy enables the phase out of fossil fuels, contributing to the most effective climate change mitigation action and to preventing further widespread and severe impacts on human rights of climate change. Transitioning towards renewable-based economies can also prevent toxic pollution, protect biodiversity, and in fact, make the most impactful contribution to the protection of human health everywhere. In some settings, health savings are equal to climate mitigation costs. As underscored in the UN Secretary General's speech over the summer, renewable energy has already become the cheapest power option in most parts of the world. And as also underscored by various UN human rights experts, renewables can contribute to energy security, dignified and gender balanced work, healthier and more inclusive economies, as well as improved access to energy in rural areas, the better response to low-income households' needs. Renewables are essential to reduce poverty and also to reduce increasing cost of living. And these are tightly linked to the fossil fuel-based economy. And there is scientific evidence to support 100% global reliance on wind and solar energy, including leapfrogging opportunities for developing countries. Nonetheless, since the very beginning of my mandate, I have been informed of violations of human rights in all regions of the world in relation to certain sources and scales of renewable development and the rush to energy transition minerals. I've heard and received numerous testimonies of severe negative impacts on indigenous peoples, persons of African descent, peasants, as well as women, children, and workers. And these patterns of human rights violations are a replication of well-known patterns we have witnessed time and again in other extractive sectors. We know what human rights norms and standards are applicable, and we know how to prevent these violations. Although a rapid energy transition is needed, such a transition should not be unchecked. Scientific evidence, including indigenous science and local knowledge, is available to ensure that renewables are developed while avoiding or minimizing any negative impacts on nature, water, food, and health. And as the three international tribunals underscored in their advisory opinions on climate change, any climate action should ensure the conservation and restoration of nature, including of the ocean, and the protection of human rights. So it is essential to undertake a full lifecycle approach to prior assessments and consultations relating to renewables and transition minerals. But unfortunately, in many states, as we also heard from the Special Rapporteur on the human right to a healthy environment, renewables are being exempted from requirements of planning, consultations, and prior assessments. In addition, looking deeper, the energy transition must be pursued without replicating the same economic models and assumptions that underpin the fossil fuel-based economy and its role in bringing about the current planetary crisis. Renewables should be developed as part of broader economic models that prioritize equitable access to energy, energy efficiency, the progress for which has been sluggish in recent years, as well as the prevention of overproduction and overconsumption and fossil fuel lock-in. Human rights evidence and norms help avoid past mistakes and identify system-wide shifts towards more long-term and efficient sector-specific energy use reduction, applying essential use and circular economy approaches. With regards to transition minerals, what does my report add to the already important 2024 principles of the United Nations Secretary General Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, and also the UN guidance document developed in 2025? First of all, my report calls upon states to examine critically the mineral demand projections that are currently driving policymaking, planning, and international partnerships. These projections often do not factor in technological developments in recycling, reuse, and materials efficiency. In addition, these projections do not distinguish mineral dependence of sectors that contribute to climate change mitigation as opposed to sectors that significantly contribute to climate change, such as militarization and unchecked expansion of data centers. In this connection, an overarching duty of states is to limit mining to what is essential for the energy transition, without responding to mineral demands for sectors that harm the climate. So states should undertake prior, strategic, comprehensive and independent assessments of the needs for minerals and alternatives to extraction. And in addition, in my report, I clarify that the fair and equitable sharing of benefits of a just energy transition entails moving away from a mere logic of exchange and damage control in relations among states as well as domestically. And rather, what we need to do is shift towards collaboratively identifying and understanding opportunities for positive impacts of the energy transition, both locally and globally, according to Indigenous peoples, communities, and women's worldviews. So, this is about co-developing socio-economic models with human rights holders and not providing them with a preset array of development options. This also means the state should prioritize research and research funding, especially for global North-South fair partnerships on research that may be Indigenous-led, community-led and women-led. with a view to co-develop technologies that require fewer minerals, less energy, and contribute to the full realization of human rights. Thank you for your attention.

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change. I now open the floor for questions or comments to both presenters. As per past practice, I ask delegation to limit their comments to 3.5 minutes. I thank you for your kind cooperation. And I'll give the floor to Costa Rica, followed by Mexico, Croatia, Cuba, and then Lesotho. You have the floor, Costa Rica.

Mr. Chair, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the core group of the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, namely Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia, Switzerland, and my own.

Country, Costa Rica.

Mrs. Astrid Puente Riano, we congratulate you on your continued efforts to promote the effective implementation of the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. to highlight best practices, identify challenges, and address violations related to this right.

We commend your 2025 report to the General Assembly, which urges states to integrate human rights and social.

Considerations into environmental impact assessments, making use of the best available science.

We appreciate your recommendations.

Emphasizing that states must ensure independent and comprehensive impact assessments before authorizing projects, preventing conflicts of interest, and avoiding any.

Weakening of environmental regulations.

Discussions should be guided by the preventive, precautionary, and polluter-based principles.

And projects entailing significant or uncertain risks should be rejected.

The Core Group recognizes that the realization of this right depends on the guarantee.

Of access to information, public participation, and access to justice.

Madam Rapporteur, the international community recently recognizes at the highest level of international law that a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

Is a precondition for the enjoyment of many human rights, and states.

Must adopt effective, immediate, and cooperative measures to prevent harm to the environment. How can your mandate support states in translating legal obligations into concrete measures to implement the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment?

We remain committed to supporting your mandate and engaging constructively to advance the promotion, protection, and implementation of this right.

We thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Costa Rica on behalf of the core group of the human rights to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. And I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico followed by Costa Rica, Cuba, Luxembourg, and Slovenia. You have the floor, Mexico.

Thank you very much, Chair. Mexico appreciates the presentation of the Special Rapporteur, and we value her focus on dealing effectively with environmental and social and human rights aspects of environmental impacts. We think that these evaluations are essential in order to prevent, challenges and make appropriate decisions and that are in step with international agreements on human rights. We reiterate our commitment with the implementation of human rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, which is recognized by the GA through resolution 76/300. We have policies that strengthen environmental justice, transparency, and participation of citizens that are in accordance with the Agreement of Viscoso. We recognize the importance of rigorous impact studies so that environmental protection be an essential pillar for prosperity, for our health, and for the well-being of present and future generations. We consider that promotion of human rights and sustainable environments are inseparable. The deterioration of the environment directly affects the enjoyment of fundamental rights like health, water, food, and housing. Therefore, we promote public policies that are based on environmental justice and equality, ensuring that nobody be left behind in the transition towards sustainable development. At the national level, Mexico has broad legislation on the environment and has perfected its legal framework through case law of the Supreme Court that has strengthened the legal remedy to ensure a healthy environment and better participation standards and access to information. We have the law on ecological balance and the protection of the environment that has a preventive focus. And furthermore, we want to ensure the effective participation of Indigenous people in their communities. We have an energy transition in course through clean energy projects that are focused on sustainability and adherence to human rights principles? We reiterate our commitment to transparency, the precautionary principle, and public participation to ensure the independence and integrity of environmental impact assessments that will take into account social and human rights aspects. Finally, we'd like to ask what are the mechanisms that you think are most effective in order to strengthen the technical independence and the integrity of the environmental impact assessments, particularly in light of conflicts of interest? Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Croatia, and followed by Cuba, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, and Georgia. You have the floor, Croatia.

Thank you, Chair. Croatia aligns itself with the EU statement. I wish to thank the Special Rapporteurs for their rigorous work and their valuable contributions to strengthening the human rights dimension of environmental and energy transition policies. The reports before us reaffirm that environmental and social impact assessments and the human rights-based approach to the energy transition are essential for ensuring that no community is left behind. Access to renewables has been linked to the protection of children's rights, including education, while such development projects can have positive impacts on human rights, societies, and economies. This transition represents a matter not only of sustainability, but of justice and accountability. Young persons consistently express concern about the transparency of environmental decision-making, access to information, and the fairness of local consultations on renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Our trust in public institutions depends on the perception that such decisions are made openly, guided by evidence, and responsive to citizens' rights. Ensuring that young persons have access to accurate environmental data and opportunities to engage in community-level monitoring can significantly enhance public oversight and strengthen democratic principles. Therefore, I hope that we can support greater inclusion of young persons in environmental governance processes, from local consultations to national planning. recognizing our role as informed actors in shaping a just transition. In this regard, I wish to ask, how can member states further enhance youth access to environmental information and participation in decision making at the community level, particularly in regions directly affected by energy transition projects? Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Croatia. I now give the floor to Cuba, followed by Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Georgia, and then the European Union. You have the floor, Cuba.

Thank you, sir. We welcome the Special Rapporteurs, and we appreciate their presentations. We reiterate how urgent it is to fulfill the commitments Those of developed countries, particularly when it comes to mitigation, adaptation, and provision of means of implementation to deal with climate change, in step with principles of equity and shared but differentiated responsibilities, developed countries should uphold their duties when it comes to climate financing. They should abstain from undermining the operationalization of the loss and damage fund. We are aware of the effects of climate change and its consequences for human rights, particularly in small island developing states, some of which suffer from the risk of disappearing due to the increase in the average global temperature and sea level rise. In February of this year, we presented our Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0. It covers the energy, agriculture sectors, and it includes adaptation to climate change. This was the result of a rigorous exercise under the global appeal to increase our climate ambition, and it takes into account our national circumstances. But the achievement of this contribution will be limited fundamentally by the US's blockade against Cuba. Only a month of this blockade is equal to our national solar energy plan for 2025. This is approximately $609 million. which with which we could install 15 mil megawatts of energy throughout the country. Despite the blockade, though, we continue working on the implementation of the state plan to deal with climate change. This is known as Tarea Vida, which is a policy that prioritizes tangible progress, such as mangroves that stop sea level rise. and more sustainable agricultural practice and resilient communities. In light of this, I'd like to ask you, how do you value the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the right to a healthy environment and the ability to deal with climate change for small island developing states and other countries in special situations? Thank you very much, sir.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba, and I'll give the floor to Liechtenstein and followed by Slovenia, Georgia, European Union, and India. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair.

Liechtenstein welcomes the unanimous advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on states' obligations in respect of climate change, a milestone that our country was proud to help bring about.

The opinion underscores that international human rights law is a directly relevant legal framework to climate change and particularly highlighted the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. What are your views on the guidance provided by the court in that regard? Could the panel elaborate on how the ICJ?

Advisory opinion can be integrated into the work of the UN human rights.

Mechanism, including the universal periodic review and treaty bodies? to ensure that state climate action is assessed consistently with their human rights obligations? Additionally, what steps can member states take to promote the practical implementations of the?

Opinions guidance within national and multilateral frameworks? I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Liechtenstein, and I'll give the floor to Slovenia followed by Georgia, European Union, India, and then Panama. You have the floor, Slovenia.

Mr. Chair, Slovenia aligns itself with the EU statement and the statement delivered by Costa Rica on behalf of the Core Group on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. We thank the Special Rapporteur, Astrid Puente Serrano, for her comprehensive analysis of states' obligations to ensure that environmental, social, and human rights impact assessments are fully integrated, participatory, and grounded in the best available science, including indigenous and traditional knowledge, as set out in the report. The report rightly affirms that prevention, not compensation, must be the cornerstone of environmental governance and that transparency, independence, and the meaningful participation of indigenous peoples, women, children, and future generations are not procedural niceties, but essential guarantees for realizing the right of every person to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. As pointed out by a special rapporteur, the International Court of Justice in its July 2025 advisory opinion on the obligations of states in respect of climate change has further clarified that preventing significant environmental harm is both an environmental and a human rights obligation. The court emphasized that safeguarding a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is an essential precondition for the effective enjoyment of other human rights, both for present and future generations. Madam Special Rapporteur, in light of the ICJ advisory opinion, What forms of cooperation among member states would you prioritize to ensure that the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment guides climate action for present and future generations? And second question, what immediate practical steps should states and the international community prioritize to protect this right and operationalize the prevention principle?

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Slovenia. I now give the floor to Georgia, followed by European Union, India, Panama, and Morocco. You have the floor, Georgia.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the outset, I would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for the report. We concur with the report's assessment on the importance of the full protection and realization of human rights in the energy transition. We are pleased to note that the government of Georgia has undertaken significant reforms in the energy sector. As part of our national energy and climate plan, we aim to raise renewables to 27.4% of final energy consumption by 2030, reducing fossil fuel reliance and boosting efficiency. In addition, we are updating our legal framework to align with the EU standards. in particular to transpose a new EU Renewable Energy Directive, while drafting bylaws to enable citizen and community-led renewable projects. Regrettably, due to Russia's illegal occupation of Georgia's Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, people living in those territories are prevented by the occupying power to benefit from the above-mentioned developments. are electrifying villages along the occupation line with solar PV, including new system in four settlements to benefit 384 households. In conclusion, we remain committed to working with international partners to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy while advancing global climate goals. Madam Special Rapporteur, which policy, legal, or regulatory approaches have most effective in ensuring that energy development fully respects and protects human rights throughout the transition. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Georgia, and I will give the floor to the European Union, followed by India, Panama, Morocco, and then France. European Union, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair, and I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. We thank the Special Rapporteurs for your continued work and engagement, and we reaffirm our support for your mandates. Global implementation of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment needs clarity, focus and the will to work together in identifying progress, challenges and opportunities. Renewable energy development must not reproduce the social and environmental injustices of the fossil fuel economy. The transition to renewables should advance human rights, protect biodiversity and foster equality, inclusiveness and fair benefit sharing. Ensuring the meaningful participation of women, indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities is essential to achieving a truly just transition. The European Union has some of the highest environmental standards in the world, and we also have a clear vision for the future, the European Green Deal. This flagship initiative sets out ambitious goals for a climate-neutral economy by 2050 and promotes high environmental standards for our citizens, combining growth, sustainability and clean and healthy environment. In this context, the EU supports informative, people-centred implementation that advances the 2030 agenda: cleaner air, a safe climate, safe and sufficient water and sanitation, healthy and sustainable produce food, non-toxic environments, and thriving biodiversity and ecosystems, underpinned by disaggregated data, effective remedies, and no.

Regression.

We fully share the importance of the environment defenders. The EU is concerned about the multiple strategies deployed by state and non-state actors to obstruct, repress, and penalize peaceful environmental activists. Madam Special Rapporteur, Puentes Rianjo, how can the rise of disinformation on environmental issues, in particular in social media, hamper the global efforts towards enshrining effective legislation on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment? And my question to Madame Special Rapporteur Morgera: what concrete steps can states take in your view to ensure that women, children, and marginalized communities are meaningfully included in decision-making on renewable energy development and benefit-sharing mechanisms? I thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union, and I'll give the floor to India, followed by Panama, Morocco, France, then Malaysia. India, you have the floor.

Mr. Chair, we take note of the report by the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to clean, healthy, and sustainable environment on the need to include human rights and social impacts for comprehensive environmental impact assessments as an obligation for state in their efforts to achieve clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. India has been at the forefront of multilateral efforts towards achieving clean and sustainable environment. Therefore, in our view, the Sr. is choosing this specific topic has deliberately ignored issues that are central to achieving sustainable and clean environment. Instead of focusing on issues that are central to achieving a sustainable environment, such as the responsibility of member states to implement CBDRRC, then responsibility of the global note in transfer of clean technology and financial assistance, the Sr. has chosen to deliberately focus on issues that are merely peripheral to the global environmental debate. Throughout the report, Sr. has flagged concerns on weak rule of law in monitoring and implementing EIAs and need for stronger state obligations in this regard. Focus on such issues has allowed the SRE to conveniently sidestep as key issues that are central to addressing sustainable and clean environment. That is the monitoring and implementation of UNFCCC, agreements on or Paris agreements, state obligations to green finances, commitments to transfer of clean technology. Deliberations on issues that do not directly help member states address this or resolve the core issue at hand undermine the work of the committee. Mr. Chair, India's development policy focuses on living in harmony with nature. India is the only G20 country to have met its climate target ahead of schedule, despite having the lowest per capita emission. India aims for a 45% reduction in the emissions intensity of its GDP by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The above attests to our commitment to balance economic and strategic partnership, strategic development priorities with our international obligations and our efforts to provide clean and healthy environment for our people and future generations. We disagree with the references made to India in the report. While EIA is one way to minimize the impact of development projects on environment, sustainable development can truly be achieved only through the use of clean technology and just transitions. The Sr. should perhaps focus on issues that are central to her mandate topic in her future reports. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of India. I now give the floor to Panama, followed by Morocco, France, Malaysia, and then United Kingdom. You have the floor, Panama.

Thank you very much, sir, distinguished delegates. Climate change is not just an environmental threat. It's a direct threat to human rights, such as fundamental rights, such as the right to life, health, water, food. housing and development. Its impact deepens inequality and affects mostly those who are already vulnerable, women, young people, indigenous people, and people in vulnerable situations and poverty. In light of this, Panama has taken a leadership role at the regional and global level based on climate action rooted in rights. This year, we were the first headquarters of the first Climate Week and the Global Week on Energy to reaffirm our right to a fair, inclusive, and sustainable energy transition. We protect 54% of our jurisdictional waters and 35% of our land. We also will hold in 2027 a World Congress on Protected Areas for Conservation, an event that will bring together global leaders to strengthen conservation of nature and responsible management of ecosystems. We also promote initiatives that encourage participation of local communities, protect their rights and strengthen their resilience when faced with climate impacts. We highlight the 200 million dollar promise for the restoration of deteriorated areas to promote ecotourism. These actions reflect our conviction that environmental justice and sustainability are only possible when we uphold and promote human rights for all. Panama reiterates its commitment to multilateralism that is more humane and more cohesive, where protecting our planet goes hand in hand with human dignity. We have some questions for the panelists. We are aware of the current challenges when it comes to climate change. I'd like to ask you, thus, how can we ensure that climate action can really reach those who are most in need? We should be focused, of course, on protecting their human rights. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Panama, and I'll give the floor to Morocco, followed by France, Malaysia, United Kingdom, and then Japan. We have the floor, Morocco.

Mr. Chairman, my delegation thanks the Special Rapporteur for presenting the report, which provides relevant information on the multidimensional impact of the alarming situation linked to climate change and environmental degradation, as well as the importance of ongoing evaluation of the implementation of obligations. my delegation would like to make the following points to contribute constructively. Under the leadership of our King, we are staunchly committed to countering climate change and to promotion of the environment. We have implemented a program to ensure a shared vision to address the economy and the society of Morocco to ensure profound transformations. In this regard, adaptation is a main priority for Morocco, especially to protect key sectors like water and agriculture, fishing, and the most vulnerable ecosystems. Morocco is also ensuring that the energy transition is just, and this in order to ensure that women and girls enjoy the same rights And we want to ensure that women are empowered too and on equal footing. Chair, challenges linked to the environment are multifaceted and are gaining ground. And Morocco is no exception to these challenges. The economic and, uh, social consequences are clear because environmental degradation, impacts our GDP by 8%. For Morocco, a clean environment is a fundamental aspect of our environmental management legislation. At the national level, we've adopted a set of programs and strategies for sustainable development and energy transition. We've set out a code of best practices and governments and new development models which give pride of place to environmental issues. The Constitution of 2011 also encapsulates sustainable development as a right for all citizens, and it has allowed for a new impetus to be given to processes seeking to establish sustainable development and access by women to environmental resources. In closing, my delegation remains committed to the multilateral approach of the governance of environmental issues, and as a member of the Core Group for the Environment and Human Rights, we will do our utmost to improve the common good, which is the environment. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco. I now give the floor to France, followed by Malaysia, United Kingdom, Japan, and then Poland. You have the floor, France.

We thank you, Madam Special Rapporteur, for your outstanding work. That work shows that the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment continues to pose a major challenge for all of the international community. The impact of climate change as well as dwindling biodiversity and pollution affect the life for a growing number of people, especially for the most vulnerable people. There's now a triple planetary crisis. In this context, France defends the strengthening of the protection of human rights. The Paris Agreement, we'll be celebrating the 10-year agreement of that, sketched out a path toward a transition to develop a low-carbon economy and sets a milestone in terms of mitigating climate change. We need to press on with this effort in order to make more concrete the prospect of a fair transition that leaves no one behind. France is committed and has been for a long time to the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy, sustainable environment. Article 1 of the Charter of the Environment of 2005 guarantees that everyone has the right to live in a balanced environment that respects health. The Human Rights Council in 2021 and the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2002, with the support of France and numerous other states, recognize the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. The global framework for biodiversity, the Kunming-Montreal Framework adopted at the COP15 in 2022, is our multilateral roadmap in order to rein in the loss of biodiversity by 2030. This framework adopts a human rights-centered approach. It acknowledges everyone's right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Given the climate urgency and other environmental challenges, France will continue to engage in international bodies to find ways in order to legally enshrine this right. Madam Special Rapporteur, there's a risk of backsliding in terms of climate change. At this time, how can states make a more tangible commitment to the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment? Thank you.

Thank you, distinguished representative of France. I now give the floor to Malaysia, followed by the United Kingdom, Japan, Poland, and then Italy. You have the floor, Malaysia.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the outset, Malaysia thanks the special rapporteurs for their insightful presentations to the committee. My intervention will focus on the report presented by Ms. Fuentes Riano, which offers valuable insights, including reflections on Malaysia's experience. We view these observations in a constructive spirit of partnership and continuous enhancement of our national frameworks. Mr. Chair, environmental impact assessments are a statutory requirement in Malaysia under the Environmental Quality Act of 1974, administered by the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Sustainability. Only qualified persons registered with the DOE may conduct EIA studies. and these consultants must meet strict technical qualifications and ethical standards under the IA Consultant Registration Scheme. Their reports are independently reviewed by the DOE and by technical review committees composed of experts from relevant government agencies, the academia, and civil society. This multi-layered process ensures objectivity, scientific rigor, and minimizes any potential conflict of interest. In our recent submission to the Special Rapporteur's call for inputs, Malaysia highlighted that stakeholder engagement is central to credible impact assessment. Public participation is conducted in two stages: first, during the preparation of the EIA through perception surveys, dialogues, and briefings; and second, during the review process through written feedback. Transparency is ensured through mandatory public display online and media notifications and the inclusion of public, expert and NGO inputs in the technical review committee's evaluation. However, several challenges persist. Number one, ensuring that the right stakeholders are meaningfully engaged as sometimes the most vocal opposition may not come from directly affected communities. Number two, improving the quality and accountability of perception surveys, which can be skewed or underutilized in decision making. Number three, enhancing the clarity and accessibility of EIA reports, which are often written in highly technical language that local communities find difficult to understand. And finally, strengthening communication and participation during construction and operational phases where engagement often declines one project approval is granted Madam special repertor drawing from your experience how can state further strengthen the quality and inclusiveness of stakeholder engagement ensuring that it remains representative informed and continuous while also safeguarding the Integrity of the decision-making process against undue influence or misinformation. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia, and I'll give the floor to the United Kingdom, followed by Japan, Poland, Italy, then Brazil. You have the floor, United Kingdom.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the special rapporteurs for their respective reports and for their important work exploring the intersection between human rights and the climate and nature crisis. Each of the areas that are addressed by those reports highlights an important lens.

Through which the enjoyment by individuals of their human rights may be put at risk.

The UK recognises the devastating impact of the crisis on the lives and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Across the world, in particular the most marginalised and vulnerable. We are committed to working with our international partners, especially those at the forefront of the climate crisis.

To create a livable planet for future generations.

As part of this, the UK aims to become a clean energy superpower with zero carbon electricity by 2030.

But ambitious targets are nothing without action. The UK-led Global Clean Power Alliance will unite countries at the cutting edge of climate action to lower bills, accelerate the global energy transition, and enhance clean energy supply chains. Special rapporteurs, What practical steps can be taken by Member?

States to improve access to justice for communities impacted by the climate and nature crisis? Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of United Kingdom, and I'll give the floor to Japan, followed by Poland, Italy, Brazil, then Chile. You have the floor, Japan.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to thank Ms. Astrid Appuottis-Riina for her presentation. Japan carefully reviewed the Special Rapporteur's report. While the report does not focus on specific military facilities, I would like to state Japan's position about what has been done in Okinawa, which is in line with Japan's response to the communication from the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on August 1, 2025. The government of Japan has been proceeding with the construction projects of defense facilities in Okinawa, such as the Futenma replacement facility, with full consideration for the environmental preservation, including the natural environment and living environment of local residents. Regarding the construction of the Futenma replacement facility, an environmental impact assessment was conducted for approximately five years from 2007 in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act and Okinawa Prefecture's Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance. For this assessment, the government of Japan received more than 1,500 opinions from the then governor of Okinawa Prefecture and approximately reflected them in the content of the environmental impact assessment. On that basis, the Okinawa Defense Bureau submitted the landfill permit request on public waters to the governor in 2013 and the project commenced after the request was approved in the same year. Even after that, throughout the construction work, various environmental preservation measures have been taken in accordance with the guidance and advice of the environmental monitoring committee. The government of Japan will make every effort to realize the earliest possible total return of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and to mitigate the impact of military bases on Okinawa, while continuously giving due consideration to environmental preservation and thorough explanations to local residents. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Japan. I now give the floor to Poland, followed by Italy, Brazil, Chile, and the Russian Federation. You have the floor, Poland.

Thank you, Chair.

Poland aligns itself with the statements delivered by the European Union.

We thank both special rapporteurs for their comprehensive and insightful reports and for emphasizing the importance of integrating human rights into environmental and climate action. With reference to the mention of Poland in the report entitled Framework for Environmental, Social and Human Rights Impact Assessment and the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, we would like to offer clarification. The report suggests that recent legal amendments in Poland might limit environmental impact assessments and public participation. This interpretation does not fully reflect our legal framework. It is important to emphasize that these provisions are not unique to Poland. They form part of a common legal framework that applies across the entire European Union. Under EU law, all member states, including Poland, are required to implement the Environmental Impact Assessments Directive. This directive allows for limited exemptions from environmental impact assessments, but only in strictly defined cases. In Poland, such exemptions may be granted solely through an individual decision by the Council of Ministers. So far, Poland has not applied any of these exemptions. Poland remains fully committed to upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and public participation, and to implementing international and EU environmental standards in good faith. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Poland. I now give the floor to Italy, followed by Brazil, Chile, Russian Federation, and then Azerbaijan. You have the floor, Italy.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As you delegates of Italy to the United Nations, we welcome the Special Rapporteur's reports and support the recommendations therein contained. We recall that the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment stands as an important human rights of recent years. Both reports underline the persisting gap between solemn commitments and concrete realities. Millions continue to face the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, with disproportionate impacts worldwide. Historical and systemic injustices, including the exclusion of communities and unsafe labor conditions, should be taken into account to make sure solutions are compatible with human rights. At the same time, these challenges intersect with key negotiations, including those related to the marine environment, which offer a vital opportunity to integrate human rights safeguards and promote intergenerational equity. Madame Special Rapporteurs, How can international cooperation be strengthened to ensure that climate action and environmental protection, including through these negotiations, truly advance human rights and leave no one behind? Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Italy. I now give the floor to Brazil, followed by Chile, Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, then China. You have the floor, Brazil.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Brazil thanks the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Rianna, for her report on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Brazil shares the view that effective and inclusive environmental and human rights assessments are essential to sustainable development. As pointed out, our environmental protection is not contrary to the legitimate pursuit of economic and social progress. It is, in the end, its final goal. We believe the need to reach the balance of these elements through the best available science, adequate institutional capacity, and the meaningful participation of local and indigenous communities at every stage of decision making. In this sense, since 2023, despite challenges, Brazil has reduced deforestation alerts by 50%, relaunched the action plan for the prevention and control of deforestation in the Amazon, resumed the creation of protected areas in indigenous lands, and strengthened environmental enforcement agencies. These measures reaffirm our commitment to governance grounded in transparency, participation, and science. Internationally, Brazil supports improving global standards and aligning corporate practices with UN guiding principles on business and human rights. Brazil is also on the final stages of ratification of the agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, BBNJ, an important step to protect our oceans. We echo the rapporteur's call for more states to ratify and implement such instruments. Looking ahead, Brazil will have the honor of hosting COP30 in Belem, in the heart of the Amazon. This will be a historic opportunity to place people and human rights at the center of climate action. We expect that the discussions, such as those inspired by the Special Rapporteur's report, will inform and enrich the global debate, leading to concrete outcomes, especially for those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In this context, Madame Special Rapporteur, how can we best strengthen national and subnational capacities to implement environmental, human rights, and social assessments to enhance cooperation among states in sharing information, expertise, and technology. Thank you so much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Brazil. And I'll give the floor to Chile, followed by Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, China, and then Bangladesh. You have the floor, Chile.

Thank you, sir. We thank the Special Rapporteur for her report that deals with the duties of states in the environmental impact assessments, and we have to consider the impact vis-a-vis human rights and social issues. We also appreciate the recognition of the ICASU agreement for the right to a sustainable and healthy environment. We also highlight the Conference of the Parties, and we highlight our role in the negotiation of it. We also take note of the comments that were made On the report, particularly, we'd like to highlight that Chile has a legal mechanism that ensures citizens' participation, such as the framework on climate change, articles 2 and 27, as well as the update of the system to ensure environmental impact assessments. Furthermore, there are state mechanisms for participation in environmental management, and also we ensure accessible language. Also, the current rules highlight the importance of consultations in access to clear information. Furthermore, we have a platform that offers 15 yearly courses to strengthen capabilities and promote the participation of citizens. They should be informed on environmental matters. We share. with the rapporteur the importance of continuing this institutional strengthening exercise. Thus, we think that it is fundamental to ensure that we respect the environmental impact assessment processes. These should be public. We should promote accountability and ensure timely access to information and justice and, furthermore, strengthen the responsibility and liability of companies in these processes. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Chile. I'll give the floor to the Russian Federation, followed by Azerbaijan, China, Bangladesh, and then the Maldives. You have the floor, Russian Federation.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We closely read the report of Ms. Astrid Fuentes Ania and the other rapporteur. The Russian Federation advocates for improving the efficiency of existing international legal mechanisms in terms of the environment and the climate fields. But this work needs to be conducted through the relevant specialized bodies in the UN system and specialized organizations, chiefly that is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. We oppose attempts to blur the mandate of the UNFCCC and the UNEP and international climate fora. And we also oppose the duplicative set of treaty obligations. Such an approach, as we see it, imposes an additional burden on national legal systems and leads to a situation where Human Rights Council resolutions are saturated with formulations that fail to reflect actual positions about combating climate change and protecting the environment. Despite the fact that the HRC, which is responsible for this area, and the OHCHR, neither one of these organizations has a mandate or the skills and expert knowledge in this field. Mr. Chairman, one of the quickest developing areas of energy is renewable energy. Before our eyes, a new technological paradigm is forming. One of its hallmarks is the transition to development with a low greenhouse gas emissions. Our country is an active participant in the International Agency on Renewable Energy. We championed an approach that implements a balanced and economically sound view of the energy transition, considering national and regional features. We think it is wiser not to talk about getting rid of existing energy assets, but instead to optimize them and to supplement them with a broad range of low carbon alternative energy sources, forming a green energy transition through predominantly renewable energy sources and banning fossil fuels without considering priorities and the capacities of other countries could irreparably harm global energy security. Mr. Chairman, existing environmental agreements and universal conventions in the area of human rights do not explain topics, don't cover areas like a clean, healthy, sustainable environment or other environmental rights. In other treaty sources, which are advisory in nature, we can only see some of these elements. In these conditions, active imposition of a nebulous category of rights would lead to an increase in potential conflict, including because a number of countries is trying at every turn to use this issue for their own political and economic interests. Russia, in this regard, advocates for the constructive development of cooperation with other States to prevent the issue of protection from dividing the international community and to ensure it unites the international community. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation. I now give the floor to Azerbaijan, followed by China, Bangladesh, Maldives, and the Sovereign Order of Malta. You have the floor, Azerbaijan.

Mr. Chair, We thank the Special Rapporteurs for their briefings and the reports submitted under this agenda item. Challenges arising from climate change and environmental degradation are increasing, negatively impacting billions of people worldwide and their broad range of human rights. The decisions adopted at COP29 under Azerbaijan's presidency will strengthen the international community's response through their implementation. In particular, the Baku finance goal aims to mobilize at least 300 billion USD annually by 2035 for developing countries, and its implementation is of utmost importance in this context. Effective action by the international community is necessary to address human rights challenges arising from climate change, such as displacement, poverty, food scarcity and hunger, and water shortages. Mr. Chair, Azerbaijan has submitted its fourth voluntary national review on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2024, outlining the measures taken, among others, to combat climate change and environmental degradation. These measures are aimed at providing a sustainable socioeconomic development for the population and their well-being. The realization of related human rights, in particular the rights to health, food, housing, and water, depends on a sustainable environment and effective policies in this field. Transition to clean energy is a priority for Azerbaijan. The policy program, Azerbaijan 2030, national priorities for such economic development, aims to increase the installed capacity of renewable energy to 30% of the country's overall energy mix by 2030, up from the current 17%. Mr. Chair, in the post-conflict period, the liberated territories are designated as green energy zones by the President of the Republic. Reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts incorporate concepts such as smart city and smart village to promote sustainable urban and rural development, thereby creating an environment conducive to the better realization of human rights. Azerbaijan stands ready to engage in international cooperation and share best practices in this regard. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Azerbaijan. And I'll give the floor to China. You have the floor.

Chair, The Chinese delegation listened attentively to the presentations of the special rapporteurs. Today, the world is confronted with three pressing challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. The international community must jointly take practical actions and foster a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. At the UN Climate Summit in September, President Xi Jinping announced China's new NDCs. China will, by 2035, reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7% to 10% from peak levels, striving to do better, increase the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30%. Expand the installed capacity of wind and solar power to over six times the 2020 levels, striving to bring the total to 3,600 gigawatts. Scale up the total forest stock volume to over 24 billion cubic meters. Make New, expand the national carbon emissions trading market to cover major high emissions sectors and basically establish a climate adaptive society. These targets represent China's best efforts based on the requirements of the Paris Agreement. We will continue to fulfill our responsibilities as a major country in global environment and climate actions. China expresses its concern over the allegations of so-called forced labor in the solar energy sector in Xinjiang as referenced in the SRS report. China has consistently stated that the so-called forced labor in Xinjiang is a lie of the century concocted by anti-China forces to smear China, to destabilize Xinjiang, and thereby impede China's development and revitalization. Such harmful narratives will also significantly affect global green development. Regarding the reference to hydropower projects in Xizang in the report of the Sr. on human right to environment, these projects aim to accelerate the development of clean energy, significantly improve local people's livelihood and actively address climate change. The planning, design and construction are based on rigorous scientific studies and comprehensive ecological protection measures have been taken to preserve the original ecosystems. as much as possible. We hope the SRs will abide by the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, discharge their duties fairly and objectively, exercise caution in handling unverified and unofficial information, and avoid being exploited by ill-intentioned political forces. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of China, and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bangladesh. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We thank the Special Rapporteur for her report on a human rights-based approach to the energy transition. Despite being one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, Bangladesh remains steadfast in its commitment to solutions to the crisis. Bangladesh focuses on clean energy transition and resilience building in its NDCs. Our third NDC pledges a reduction of 84.97 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2035, which is a 20.3% reduction from business as usual. Despite our limited resources, we will reduce to the 6.74 million tons unconditionally. But we must emphasize that to deliver the remaining, international community must fulfill its pledges of finance, technology, and capacity support. Mr. Chair, we, the climate vulnerable countries, face twin crisis, climate and finance. Our people bear the cost of a crisis that they did not create. This unsustainable burden forces many nations to divert resources from health and education to adapt to climate change impacts. Climate change is not only environmental, it is a human rights issue. Bangladesh led the adoption of the human rights and climate change resolution at the 59th Human Rights Council, which underscores the need for a rights-based approach. We call for ambitious, predictable and fair new collective goal on climate finance, immediate operationalization of the loss and damage fund, and harness the authority of the ICJ advisory opinion to strengthen accountability and make climate negligence unlawful. Bangladesh stands ready to work with all partners to build a safer, more just and sustainable future for all, and to ensure that climate action drives equitable development for all. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bangladesh. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Maldives. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. The Maldives aligns with the intervention delivered by Costa Rica on behalf of the Core Group on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, and makes the following intervention in its national capacity. We thank the presenters for their comprehensive reports and presentations. On the report by Special Rapporteur Astrid Puente Osriano, we appreciate that the report takes a broad perspective on the issue and that the recommendations highlight the importance of strengthening state capacity to adequately implement environmental, human rights and social assessments. We would appreciate hearing your perspective on how states can build capacity and coordinate with regional and multilateral entities in exchanging information, expertise, and technical know-how. The Maldives remains committed to support and will continue to engage constructively with this important mandate. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Maldives. And I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sovereign Order of Malta. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution unites humanity in vulnerability and in responsibility. We all witness its effects, droughts, floods, storms, and rising seas, though those who contribute least often suffer most. The impacts of climate change are not abstract. They intertwine with humanitarian emergencies where Malteser International, the humanitarian relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta, is actively present. Droughts, typhoons and other disasters threaten not only ecosystems, but also the human rights to life, health, food, water and sanitation. Ensuring a sustainable environment is inseparable from protecting these fundamental rights. In India's Rajasthan region, farmers face relentless droughts and extreme weather that make survival precarious. Our projects offer those bearing the brunt of these challenges with a variety of support, including climate-adapted seeds, agriculture tools, and training in sustainable farming methods. Farmers are able to develop their skills in organic pesticide production using natural materials such as leaves and cow dung, reducing dependence on chemicals. In Colombia, one of the most biodiverse yet fragile countries on earth, nearly half of its territory suffers from soil erosion. 120,000 hectares of forest disappear each year, and it ranks among the most climate-vulnerable countries. Since 2014, Malteser International has worked to restore this region. In collaboration with local communities, we are planting 33,000 seedlings to restore 30 hectares of mangrove forest. In Tasajera, we partner with single mothers, providing training that supports independence and ensures that environmental knowledge is passed on to future generations. Mangrove restoration not only revives biodiversity and fisheries, but also combats climate change. These forests store up to 10 times more carbon than other trees, protecting coasts from erosion and storm surges. These cases remind us of what is at stake. If we prioritize short-term profit over long-term planetary health, we condemn future generations into a bleak inheritance. But if we act with courage, advocating for sustainable practices, holding accountable those who harm the environment, and investing in people, we can build a future where rights are not aspirational words, but lived realities. Let us recall the words of His Holiness Pope Francis. We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent is worth it. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Sovereign Order of Malta. We have heard the last speaker on my list. I now invite the presenters of the combined briefing to respond to the comments and questions from the floor. I first give the floor to the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Ms. Villano, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. And I thank you all the interventions and the thorough analysis of the report that I'm presenting to you. And first of all, to mention that I really look forward to continue this interactive dialogue, and I will try as much as possible to address the questions here, but also know that both at the Third Committee and in Geneva and between our sessions, I really look forward to continue collaborating and exchanging information. In relation to the measures on how to better implement the right to a healthy environment, as you might remember in my last report last year, and this is something that we have also highlighted significantly, is the importance to mainstream the right to a healthy environment. One of the great opportunities of the right to a healthy environment, and as I also have heard several times from states, is the challenge of the siloed perspective that we have, and sometimes the compartmentalization of both institutions and regulations and the implementation of that. The right to a healthy environment helps to understand the intersectionalities and the interdependence of human rights, and in that sense, mainstreaming the right to environment, both on environmental protection, human rights, but definitely also on economic policies, climate action, international trade is absolutely key. The other element thinking about effective measures is the importance to continue to make sure that both states and regions expressly recognize the right to a healthy environment. As you know, for example, at the Council of Europe, for a few years now, there has been a conversation about whether or not to recognize the right to a healthy environment. Today is the time, and I reiterate my perspective and availability to help the Council of Europe and make sure that the right to a healthy environment is expressly recognized. I also want to highlight that soon next week, I look forward to hopefully the ASEAN declaration that we adopted on the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment in ASEAN, which will be also a good opportunity to identify through the implementation plans how to better make sure that the right to a healthy environment is adequately implemented, even in states that haven't expressly recognized it. Thinking about how to identify the conflict of interest that today we see at the environmental impact assessments process. One of the things that I want to highlight as you saw in the report, but just as a reminder that throughout the contributions and the over five consultations that I did for this report, both UN entities, communities, but also states and even businesses identify the conflict of interest as the most important and difficult challenge to address. So I really think that this is key and I have identified a few things, a few elements. For example, in India, there is the possibility to challenge legally the environmental impact assessments. And you will see in additional material that I have identified some cases where in India successfully this impact of conflict of interest and the inadequate influence to the decision of environmental impact assessments has been challenged and successfully protected the access to justice in order to make a good decisions. Another option and adequate ways to address and prevent conflict of interest is penalizing actors both private and public that are exercising this undue influence on these decisions. And this will also be important in relation to the question about how to deal with this information, which is something that, of course, it's not only impacting climate, but it's also impacting the right to a healthy environment, democracy, and the respect of all human rights. In relation to children and participation, I really appreciate that question, and that is one thing that is very important to highlight. As we know, the challenge and the impacts to the right to a healthy environment mostly impact children, but also we're talking about present and future generations. In the report, I highlight also the importance of governments and also, of course, businesses and UN entities to identify and remind the importance of making sure that children and youth are participating in processes, but also that this participation is safe. Unfortunately, in my mandate, I continue receiving requests for intervention on allegation letters because of harassment or criminalization of youth and children that are protecting the right to a healthy environment. So we really encourage us all and states to take into consideration this and make sure that spaces are safe for children. In addition to this, making sure that spaces are appropriate considering child age and making sure children, for example, have suggested to do child assemblies so that they can safely provide information. There is also under regulations, minimum age to participate in general, it can be in many states 18 years. So I consider to, or I suggest to consider making sure that these requirements are either changed or make sure that these are considering really the right of children to participate. Thinking about time, I also want to highlight the importance and welcome the clarifications, including by Poland, about the not weakening and exceptions for environmental impact assessments. This is one of the key aspects that I want to highlight from the report, of course, not only Poland, but in many states, because I have seen not only the exclusion of key sectors, as I mentioned, but also pieces of projects, for example, exploration for fossil fuels that in some countries are excluded from environmental impact assessment. This is the kind of measures that need to be reviewed, considering also the clarification of the obligation of states from the ICJ. It is very important also to make sure that the actions from states have to be progressive and avoid regression of these regulations. And of course, make sure that regulations are not only in place, but are also are effectively implemented. A couple of other things that I want to highlight is that in addition to the report, I am sharing as available today some additional material that I hope that it will be useful for you. One of that is an explanation of how to specifically consider climate impacts on environmental, social, and human rights impact assessments. And this consideration for climate is based also on several cases, even in litigation cases, where systematically states are concluded or courts are concluding that an obligation, it's the obligation of the states to incorporate climate. But I also want to highlight that even in one case, Australia has mentioned in a litigation case the duty and the responsibility of the state to incorporate climate in the impact assessment, which is very positive. Another part of the additional material that I'm providing is an evaluation of almost 100 litigation cases that are linked to the failure of environmental impact assessment in different aspects. And this also highlights an evidence that the best way to avoid litigation and even delays in projects and the importance of development and progress that is needed is to make sure that environmental impact assessments are adequately done, including, of course, making sure that everyone has access to adequate information, public participation, and access to justice. I also prepared a summary of the ISDS processes that unfortunately continue to be an increasing, having an increasing chilling effect on the states to comply with their obligations to protect the planet and human rights. With these ISDS processes, what we saw before is while some claims were in average $25 million claims, today increasingly these not only are over billions of dollars, but also are linked to the preventing and having, as I mentioned, this chilling effect on states to comply with obligations to protect planet and human rights. And this also evidences the importance and the to reform trade development and international investment law. I want to close by thanking you for, again, your time and to make sure that throughout the implementation of my mandate, I can help states and also other actors to address the current challenges on assessment processes and contributing for its effective improvement towards effectively protecting the right to a healthy environment and its fundamental enjoyment for all human rights and well-being of humanity. Muchisimas gracias.

Thank you very much. And we will continue coordinating.

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. I next give the floor to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, Ms. Moge.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you so much for the deep engagement with my report and also for confirming how important it is to receive that advice on what a human rights-based approach to the energy transition entails. In response to the queries from the distinguished delegates from Croatia, Georgia and Panama around how we ensure effective just transition processes, but also inclusive just transition processes, I think that really understanding the connection, the effectiveness and justice can only come from deeply inclusive processes. And this is why in the report I really emphasize the idea of co-developing the energy transition, relying also on the most recent scientific findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services related to transformative change and the nexus. And again, I understand how for governments, particularly thinking about top-down activities and connecting, taking decisions on the energy transition, they also take into account nature, water, food, and health may appear very challenging, considering that the expertise is usually spread across different ministries and sectors. But it is really in engaging directly at the community level that those interlinkages become apparent. And communities themselves in their lived experiences have a very clear understanding of what will be the most effective measures to advance that energy transition. It's also essential to involve workers, including workers in the fossil fuel sector, into these conversations. and supporting, including through funding, both public funding but also funding from fossil fuel companies for their transition to other employment opportunities, and valuing then their concerns, their needs, but also their expertise in co-developing those energy transition pathways. Crucially, one of the issues that has arisen in my several consultations with unions, communities, indigenous peoples, and states and UN agencies is also how important it is to consider opportunities to decentralize energy production. And that can be one element in the energy transition that really supports community ownership of renewables and specific response to the needs of low income communities and areas that are still deprived of sufficient or access to energy altogether. In response to the really important points around international duty to cooperate, which were raised by the distinguished delegates of Cuba, Italy and India, I think the report really underscores how important it is to understand duties of international cooperation, including in the light of those advisory opinions, in terms of first preventing what are now well documented patterns of neocolonial approaches to international cooperation on renewable and access to energy transition minerals. So avoiding patterns that lock regional and national economies into development dependencies of primary extraction, they also lead to land expropriation and elite capture and safe disposal of toxic waste and disproportionate benefits accruing to more technologically advanced nations. And what we need to do instead, both in light of primary and secondary international obligations, is ensuring that sufficient grant-based climate finance, but also debt relief, is prioritized to support developing countries in leapfrogging into renewable-based economies, and doing so through co-development of technologies. And this is really where we can move away from any lock-in, be them technological, but also otherwise, and really develop, support mutual learning among states and experts in those states, and really ensure that we respond to local needs and local context, particularly prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable. Of course, these obligations around prioritizing areas of support, so the transition to renewables at the nexus of nature, climate, water, food, and health needs to also shape and, in fact, reshape the practices of multilateral development banks and bilateral development finance institutions who still are providing significant funding to some more unsustainable practices related to renewables, including large-scale hydropower as opposed to prioritizing solar and wind energy, particularly when it's led by communities, indigenous peoples, and women. I'll also reflect, and I really thank both the distinguished delegate from Liechtenstein and from Slovenia to bring to our attention the importance of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and in fact, how aligned that advisory opinion is also with the advisory opinion of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which provides a wealth of understanding of how human rights can shape and support states in finding the most effective and meaningful transition. And in fact, it's also aligned with the earlier findings of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. And I think that those advisory opinion also help to clarify the concerns that were shared by the distinguished delegate of the Russian Federation. What all those advisory opinions have clarified is that states have obligations, harder obligations than how they're usually portrayed under the Paris Agreement, but they also have other obligations under their parallel international treaties relating to the protection of the marine environment, biodiversity, degradation and human rights. And therefore that demonstrates how important it is that all these fora maximize their contribution to the protection of our climate system and in fact contribute to illuminate how rather than duplicating obligations we're really looking at a mutually supportive interpretation of multiple areas of international law that point to the priority action that allows for the realization of multiple international objectives. And in that sense, together with the rapporteur on the human right to a healthy environment and many others, we're very committed to support the take-up of the advisory opinions in the UPR and, of course, treaty bodies monitoring activities. Both of my reports this year are accompanied by an annex which provides specific advice to treaty bodies about which considerations to include in their monitoring activities, what kind of questions to ask in looking at state conduct to support that deeper understanding of mutually supportive obligations that can advance the human rights-based approach to the energy transition and also the realization of other international environmental law objectives. In addition, together with other rapporteurs, including also the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Water, we are preparing targeted messaging in preparation for COP30. And I really thank the leadership of the Brazilian presidency, and particularly the Brazilian presidency's Special Envoy on Just Transition and Human Rights, for having opening spaces for dialogue and learning from special procedures in understanding the relevance of those advisory opinion the COP process, including, I think, in trying to have more explicit conversations for how much they may be difficult about fossil fuels, understanding what are the challenges at the national level, but also, crucially, what are the priorities that need to be discussed in terms of international duty to cooperate. And just recently, I have sent a letter, for instance, to the board of the loss and damage fund to clarify my understanding of the relevance of the findings of the advisory opinions for the work of the fund, particularly that support for responses to loss and damage at the nexus that support ecosystem protection and restoration with a view to also contribute to mitigation and adaptation, as well as the protection of human rights. and very much supporting the needs as they are identified at community level. So again, those co-development bottom-up approaches that I think can support meaningful action at the national level. I also want to thank the distinguished delegate from China for sharing her concerns about the sources that were used in my report about forced labor. I've relied on both UN reports, independent academic research, as well as a report from the Danish Institute for Human Rights. But there were also several submissions among the 130 that I received for my report, which point into those concerns. And I think considering the incredible contribution that China has made to the global progress in renewables, I would encourage maybe an opportunity for bilateral partners and maybe UN partners to work together with the Chinese government to clarify these issues. And finally, I would like to conclude my statement to add my voice to that of other special rapporteurs in unconditionally denouncing the US government sanctions against the Special Rapporteur on Occupied Palestine Territory, Francesco Albanese, recognizing that these sanctions are a violation of international law and a direct attack against the integrity of the UN human rights systems and the role of special procedures who are here to support state action, to support protection, respect of international law and meaningful action so that no one is left behind. Thank you for your attention.

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change. I once again thank both speakers for joining the combined briefing, which serve to increase the depth of our discussion, demonstrate the linkage between the respective mandates, and further enhance the quality of the work of the Committee. Thank you. I now welcome the Special Rapporteur on negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms. Dohan, who is joining virtually. Participants wishing to make comments and pose questions to the speaker are invited at this time to press their microphone buttons within the next three minutes, after which the list will be closed. The time limit where each speaker will be announced before the floor is given to the first speaker. I thank you for your cooperation. I now invite the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights to make an introductory statement. Mr. O'Hanlon, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Your Excellency. Honorable Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it's a privilege to be here for the interactive dialogue with you on issues of impact of unilateral sanctions, means of the enforcement and overcompliance to the right to education, academic freedoms, and academic rights. We are currently observing the rapid expansion of the use of enforcement of various types of unilateral sanctions regimes as well as over compliance. Multiple reports referred to the extensive impact on different categories of human rights, including the right to education and academic rights of individuals in the countries under sanctions, third states, and even sanctioning states. In this context, I have forwarded a call for contributions to states, scholars, and civil society in November 2024, and would like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to all those who responded to this call. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, right to education is a universally recognized independent human rights and an indispensable means to ensure other categories of human rights. It shall be implemented by all States to the maximum of available resources, both individually and through international assistance and cooperation, without any discrimination, by taking deliberate, clear and concrete steps, including via legislation, providing access to effective remedy and judicial protection. Right to benefit from academic progress includes access to the benefits of science and its application without discrimination. Opportunities for all to contribute, academic freedoms, participation of communities in decision-making, relevant right to information, enabling environment for the conversation, development and diffusion of science and technology. Academic freedoms under article 15, paragraph 3 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights include a wide range of elements, including protection of researchers from undue influence on their independent judgments, the possibility of researchers to define the aims and objectives of their research, the freedom to cooperate with other researchers, including internationally, the sharing of scientific data with policymakers and the public as essential to quality teaching, research, innovation and the production, dissemination, and application of knowledge. Any limitation to the above rights can only be determined by law only in so far as it may be compatible with the nature of these rights and solely for the purpose of promoting the general welfare in a democratic society in accordance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Any measures resulting in retrogression can be carefully assessed and justified by states with strong presumption on impermissibility of retrogressive measures. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, unilateral coercive measures, means of the enforcement and over compliance have a detrimental effect on the right to education, right to benefit from the scientific progress and other academic freedoms all around the world, including in the sanctioning states. They create conditions for retrogression, which under articles 13 to 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is inadmissible also in the extraterritorial. Such impact indirectly has a detrimental impact on other human rights, including the right to decent life, gender equality, right to decent work and better future, lifelong education, respect of dignity, right to life, right to health, freedom from hunger, while constituting discrimination affecting directly SDGs 4 and 10. imposition or enforcement of unilateral sanctions may constitute a violation of all elements of the right to education, right to benefit from scientific progress and other academic rights in the countries affected by unilateral sanctions, both directly or indirectly. creating impediments in getting access to information, also we are introducing legislation on defamation and misinformation, creating conditions for discrimination that at the very end constitutes a violation of all types of obligations under Article 13 to 15, to respect, to protect, and to fulfill. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I'm also seriously concerned about reports on pressure, reprisals, and limitations towards scholars and sanctioning states. Beside the direct prohibitions to interact with directly designated universities and research institutions, academics and academic institutions appear to be under pressure to avoid cooperation even when formal unilateral sanctions do not exist. In particular, scholars from sanctioning states are often scared of or being advised not to participate in academic events in countries under sanctions or with scholars from such countries, and even to respond to mails from the organizers, to submit manuscripts for publication in the countries under sanctions, or even to participate in expert consultations, conferences, publications organized, co-organized, or edited by me as a special rapporteur. This fear often arises from instructions by universities from sanctioned states, which are spanning from the recommendatory request, broadly understood limitations for self-check-in for universities, threats of criminal prosecution for cooperation with counterparts from sanctioned countries. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, let me give you some specific examples of the responsibilities of different categories of states in the area. All states, including states under sanctions, have the primary responsibility to ensure the right to education and academic freedoms, including via measures taken to mitigate negative impact of unilateral sanctions within the scope of maximum resources available. However, unilateral sanctions undermine the ability of such states to implement progressively their obligations under Articles 13 to 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including as regards the access to education, teaching materials, including digital technologies, accessibility of education, maintenance of the proper quality of education, international academic cooperation, maintenance of school infrastructure and learning environment, inclusive education, for vulnerable groups due to a reduction of available resources and consequent brain drain. States are responsible for violations of academic freedoms within their jurisdiction and control by implementation of unilateral sanctions adopted by them or any other country. Responsibility for such violations cannot be shifted to private entities or justified by geopolitical reasons or good intentions. Such states are under an obligation to take all positive measures, legislative, administrative and judicial, to ensure that private actors under their jurisdiction and control do not violate the right to education, right to benefit from scientific progress and its applications and academic freedoms, including extraterritorially. Sanctioning and enforcing states bear the burden of proof that the activity and activity under the jurisdiction and control doesn't violate the right to education, right to benefit from scientific progress and academic freedoms. If such violations take place, states are responsible for violation of the obligation of due diligence as well as relevant human rights. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, there is a number of other points of significance in the report I'm presenting today, but I will move to some of my recommendations. To ensure that the right to education, right to benefit from the results of scientific research of all people are protected also in sanctions environment, Sanctioning states and regional organizations shall lift all measures not in conformity with international law as unilateral coercive measures, including those imposed on academics and academic institutions, regardless the intentions. Shall ensure that the right to education, academic freedoms, and international public and private cooperation, this fear under their jurisdiction and control, and extraterritorially are not affected by unilateral means of pressure. They shall stop and prevent in the future any discrimination based on nationality, origin, place of residence or birth, IP address, or any other nexus with countries under sanctions in education, science, and professional training and development. Cease and take all necessary measures to prevent in the future reprisals and threats against any academics under their jurisdictional control for educational and scientific cooperation with scholars or institutions under sanctions. shall withdraw all legislation on disinformation or misinformation, preventing the possibility to get information from all possible sources and verify it. Shall remove and ensure that entities under the jurisdiction and control remove all direct or indirect obstacles for international cooperation, including in the form of participation in academic events, cooperation, exchanges, and.

Ms. Dohan, I am so sorry to interrupt, but could you please conclude? Thank you.

Sure. As monitoring has already been mentioned today, I invite UNESCO to monitor the impact of unilateral sanctions on the right to education, right to benefit from scientific progress and academic freedoms. including the development of the sanctions monitoring tool developed under my mandate and address the impact of unilateral sanctions alongside other impediments in its assessment in the documents relevant to education, science, children and youth rights and non-discrimination. I thank you for your attention.

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. I will open the floor for any questions or comments for Ms. Dohan. As per practice, I would ask delegations to limit their comments to three minutes. I thank you for your kind cooperation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zimbabwe, followed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and then Cuba. Zimbabwe, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Zimbabwe welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms. Alena Dohan. We appreciate her continued efforts to shed light on the devastating impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. We regret that she could not join us today. Chair, Zimbabwe was among the countries that contributed to the preparation of this year's report. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of such measures on the right to education, academic freedom, and equitable access to scientific and technological progress. For over two decades, Zimbabwe has endured the effects of these measures, which have impaired access to finance, trade, technology, and development assistance. These sanctions have curtailed the government's ability to deliver essential social services, including health, education and infrastructure, disproportionately affecting women, children and other vulnerable groups. Zimbabwe notes with appreciation that the report underscores the adverse impact of unilateral coercive measures on all dimensions on the rights to education, that is availability, accessibility, acceptability and adaptability. As highlighted in the report, such measures constrain public budgets, disrupt curricula, limit teacher retention, and restrict access to global academic networks and research databases, thereby impeding the full realization of this fundamental right. These findings resonate deeply with Zimbabwe's own experience, where financial restrictions and overcompliance by private entities continue to hinder development, assistance, and participation in international scholarly cooperation. As the report rightly emphasizes, unilateral coercive measures contradict the principles of sovereign equality, non-intervention, and peaceful coexistence enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. They have no legal basis or moral basis and undermine this. spirit of multilateralism and international cooperation, while impeding progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those on education, equality and development, Zimbabwe reaffirms its conviction that genuine dialogue and constructive engagement, rather than coercion or punishment, remain the most effective means of resolving differences among States. We therefore echo the call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of these illegal sanctions, which remain the single greatest impediment to Zimbabwe's economic recovery and the full realization of the right to development by its people. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Zimbabwe. I now give the floor to the Islamic Republic of Iran, followed by Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Cuba, and then the European Union. Islamic Republic of Iran, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. We would like to thank Madam Elena Dohan for the briefing and appreciate her timely and comprehensive report on UCMs and the right to education. We extend our full support to her dedicated work and mandate. Her detailed reports provide essential factual evidence on how UCMs isolate the scientific communities of targeted countries and undermine the principles of international humanitarian and human rights law. For decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has faced unlawful unilateral sanctions by the United States that have adversely affected the full realization of the right to education of Iranians, impeding access to knowledge, technology, and international academic cooperation, in contravention of the principles of international law and the UN Charter. As the rapporteur has emphasized, under the principle of due diligence, states and regional organizations are obligated to ensure that activities carried out under their jurisdiction or control do not result in violations of human rights, including extraterritorially. They are further required to adopt legislative, administrative, judicial, budgetary, and other measures necessary to respect and protect and fulfill human rights in accordance with General Comment No. 14 of the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The imposition of unilateral sanctions impedes a state's capacity to allocate sufficient resources to education, including the development and maintenance of educational infrastructure, ensuring universal access to basic and compulsory education, safeguarding teachers' rights, supporting educational programs, and sustaining universities. These and other challenges undermines a state's ability to fulfill their obligations to ensure the availability and equality of education. Mr. Chair, unfortunately, some countries are attempting to restrict access to education at all levels without valid justification through discriminatory practice, neglect of educational obligations, such as facilitating academic exchange and mutual recognition of qualifications, and demands to halt all cooperative initiatives, including funding or joint projects with sanctioned countries. The right to benefit from educational advancement encompasses access to benefits of science and its implications without any discrimination. Such illegal coercive measures erode the core values of impartiality, inclusion, and non-discrimination in global science and compromise the right of all individuals to benefit from scientific progress and its implications. Professors are often denied the right to publish scientific articles and books, participate in conferences or academic exchanges in international fora. We reaffirm that the right to education is a fundamental and inalienable right of every individual which cannot be undermined or abrogated by States through the imposition of unilateral coercive measures. We call upon the international community to take effective measures to lift all UCMs. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Venezuela followed by Cuba European Union and then Russian Federation the you have the floor sir.

Thank you very much vice-chair it's an honor to take the floor on behalf of the group of friends in defense of the Charter whose member states expressed their gratitude to the special rapporteur for her contributions throughout the fulfillment of her mandate and also the the recent report, which calls upon all UN bodies to address the full impact of these illegal policies. We also lament that, due to circumstances beyond her control, Professor Doohan was not able to be physically present in New York. We trust that in the future, every effort will be made to ensure her in-person participation during the dialogue. we reiterate our strong condemnation of the continued systematic, relentless, unprecedented, and ever-increasing promulgation, implementation, and expansion of unilateral coercive measures, which are aimed at nothing more but advancing interventionist and destabilizing agendas, both of a political and economic nature, which dramatically impact the enjoyment of human rights of more than a third of humanity, preventing and hindering access, among others, to food and medicine and medical treatment, medical equipment, financial services, education, technological progress, energy sources, among other basic goods and services, at the same time providing an alleged legal framework for confiscation of sovereign resources that may be deposited within the national banking systems of those nations that apply these criminal measures. No. political project based on exceptionalism can have legitimacy to govern global affairs, nor can it impose its will through economic blockades or coercive restrictions that are said to be a certain rule-based order. This is completely incompatible with the fundamental principles of sovereign equality, justice, that are enshrined in the Charter. These cruel and inhumane measures undermine all human rights, particularly the right to life, health, education, and development. They also are severely affecting the capabilities of government programs to fulfill the 2030 agenda and the SDGs. unilateral coercive measures are creating a systemic crisis in international relations, eroding multilateralism, and affecting all states directly or indirectly through, even through the over-fulfillment phenomenon. We cannot overemphasize how immoral and contradictory it is for certain governments to portray themselves as champions or guardians of human rights while they implement these inhumane policies systematically. The rest of our statement will be in the journal.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of group of friends in defense of the Charter of the United Nations. And I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba, followed by the European Union, Russian Federation, then Malaysia. Cuba, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, sir. We commend the Special Rapporteur and we thank her for her report and we recognize her dedication and professionalism in developing tools that will objectively and systematically give visibility to the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures when it comes to fully enjoying human rights. Cuba considers that education is a human right that should be ensured for everyone. Education is universal and free. at all levels of education. It is responsibility of the state exclusively. In 2025, 23% of our state budget was destined to the strategic sector for the economic, political, and social life of the country. The thematic report that we analyzed today clearly shows the severe impact of the US blockade when it comes to enjoying education in Cuba. the cost of 21 hours of the blockade reaches $18 million, which is equivalent to the necessary financing to replace technological resources that are obsolete or deteriorated in schools. With just 19 minutes of a blockade, with that cost, we would be able to buy all electrical wheelchairs or basic wheelchairs that are necessary to attend to the needs of students with special needs. You know, we were able to see in your visit to Cuba in 2023 in the school in solid among other places we agree with the repertor that the extraterritorial nature of ucm's fly in the face of international law Cuba's inclusion with no foundation on the fraudulent list of states that sponsor terrorism, which was developed by the U.S. State Department, creates even more severe problems for the country's economy. Furthermore, it intimidates and dissuades third parties. thank the rapporteur and other special procedures on human rights for their clear pronouncement against these criminal measures. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba for his presentation. I now give the floor to the European Union, followed by the Russian Federation, Malaysia, and then Belarus. European Union, you have the floor.

Chair, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. The European Union thanks the Special Rapporteur, Mrs. Alina Douang, for her presentation and for her continued engagement with Member States. The EU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the promotion and protection of all human rights, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. The EU adopts a limited and highly selective amount of restrictive measures to defend universal values and international law, to preserve peace and security, and to promote respect for democracy and human rights, in line with the principles of the UN Charter. Restrictive measures are a legitimate, rules-based and non-punitive instrument of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, adopted in full compliance with international law. They are targeted, proportionate and reversible, and carefully designed to avoid any unintended consequences, including for food security of third countries around the globe. EU sanctions complement and reinforce UN action. The EU assumes its responsibility to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, even when the Security Council is unable to act due to the veto of a permanent member. Autonomous sanctions are thus a peaceful measure of last resort aimed at preventing impunity and deterring further violations. Together with its member states, the EU is the world's largest donor of humanitarian and development assistance, including to countries under sanctions. In addition, the EU has introduced broad humanitarian carve-outs in its autonomous sanctions regimes, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2664. This underlines our strong commitment to humanitarian principles and the protection of those most in need. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union. I now give the floor to the Russian Federation, followed by Malaysia, Belarus, and Burkina Faso. You have the floor, Russian Federation.

Mr. Chairman, we welcome the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms. Yelena Dovgan. We welcome her to the Third Committee. We're very disappointed that, for various reasons, the Special Rapporteur was unable to be present in person at the meeting. We commend her thorough analysis of unilateral measures The report of Ms. Dogan once more clearly demonstrates that the negative impact of these policies on ordinary people is unavoidable. And that report also gave the lie to the argument that sanctions are a political tool against the political elite. We regret to note that the broad and extra nature of unilateral course of measures has a corrosive impact on everyone. And it shows that policies toward using UCMs have expanded to practically all areas of society. We agree with the concern expressed by the Special Rapporteur about the trend toward additional sanctions being introduced against academic institutions with the aim of preventing technological progress of a country in specific areas or in an attempt to impede the development of sectors under sanctions. Such an approach clearly seeks to restrain the economic and technological development of competing states on the international markets. For example, we see measures seeking to suppress the scientific community of the Russian Federation. Incidentally, instead of achieving the desired effect of isolating us, quite the contrary, we're increasing our cooperation in science and education bilaterally and multilaterally, both in the UN and through regional organizations. Our country is among the top 10 leading countries in terms of the export of education. Last year saw the Russian Federation send 256 teachers to foreign schools, and Russian universities host some 400,000 foreign students. At the end of this decade, the number of people studying from outside Russia in our country will be no less than 500,000 people. Every year, we carry out international educational fora, and we invite our foreign guests to those fora. We would like to say that instead of sanctions, we'd like to see you visit Russia to see with your own eyes everything that we're doing. We're convinced that many of you, after such a visit, would like to review your approach, revise your approach. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia, followed by Belarus, Burkina Faso, and then Eritrea. You have the floor, Malaysia.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My delegation thanks Ms. Dohan for her comprehensive report to the Committee. We commend the Special Rapporteur's continued work in highlighting the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly the right to education and academic freedom. The report made clear that sanctions and their overcompliance restrict access to quality education, scientific progress, technology and international cooperation, harming students and academics not only in sanctions states, but also in sanctioning and third countries. Mr. Chair, Malaysia's position on unilateral coercive measures is clear and consistent. We firmly oppose all forms of unilateral economic, financial, and commercial embargo that contravene international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We urge states that impose or implement such measures to immediately cease these practices and to resolve their disputes through dialogue and peaceful negotiations. Unilateral sanctions not only impede access to education, research and technology, but also exacerbate poverty, brain drain and social inequality, particularly affecting women, children and other vulnerable groups. Such actions contribute to the retrogression in rights protected under Articles 13 to 15 of the ICESCR, directly impeding progress towards SDG 4 and 10, and indirectly undermining other goals related to health, food, energy, industry and innovation. Mr Chair, our question to the Special Rapporteur is twofold. First, What are the principal consequences of overcompliance by publishers, digital platforms, financial institutions, and universities in restricting access to education and scientific communication due to sanctions? And number two, what practical measures within existing legal framework can states and private actors take immediately to mitigate or minimize these impacts? I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. And I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belarus, followed by Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and then China. Belarus, you now have the floor.

Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues, we thank the Special Rapporteur for her informative presentation. Belarus supports the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures, UCMs, on the enjoyment of human rights, and we commend the report on the impact of UCMs on the right to education and on other academic rights. Throughout the years of her work, the rapporteur has been able to demonstrate at every turn to the international community the genuine examples of the negative impact of UCMs on various areas of activity. Aside from the obvious fact that these measures are illegal and deleterious on the whole, we would like to underscore that education and science are particularly subject to the impact of UCMs. We note that the atmosphere of pressure created by UCMs, an atmosphere of pressure, manipulation and indeterminacy, that this inevitably corrodes progress in the enjoyment of academic rights and it hampers the development of international cooperation in this area. In this context, it's particularly horrifying that Countries that consider themselves to be developed democracies, instead of providing assistance in terms of science and education, are trying to suffocate developing countries. We share the report's conclusion that states bear responsibility for violations of academic freedom within their jurisdictions and their areas of control, and that the responsibility for these violations cannot be shifted onto private structures or justified by geopolitical reasons or noble intentions. We urge all stakeholders to implement the recommendations set out in the report, and we express our hope that there will be a swift end for the practice of implementing UCMs. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mauritius. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Burkina Faso. You have the floor.

Chair, my delegation commends the Special Rapporteur for her report, which highlights the particularly negative effects of unilateral coercive measures on the right to education and other related rights. We commend the efforts through the thematic work and official visits to the country that have brought together important and valuable information on the general impact of all mechanisms and direct and secondary sanctions on the right to education and academic rights at the global level. We agree with the Special Rapporteur that unilateral sanctions undermine the ability of states to allocate necessary resources for education, particularly by limiting their ability to create and maintain infrastructure and ensure inclusive access to basic education. Sir, we can say that maintaining an inclusive educational system is not easy for a country that is facing various crises. We have to deal with the -- despite the security crisis imposed against my country by terrorists and their allies, under our president, Captain Traore, we have been able to maintain continuous education, particularly the right to education through the relocation opening ensuring security and thus ensuring that students can maintain in school. We support the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur and we remain committed in particular to those requests that states eliminate these measures so that rights to access to education not be undermined. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of of Burkina Faso. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Eritrea. You have the floor.

Mr. Chair, we would like to thank the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Alina Doohan, for her thorough and well-documented report and for the work undertaken to develop practical tools and guidance to measure and respond to the humanitarian and human rights consequences of the unilateral coercive measures in targeted countries. From Eritrea's perspective, the report confirms realities we and many other states face. Restrictions on banking relations, blocked transfers, impeded procurement of inputs, and the chilling effect on trade and investment sharply reduced, fiscal space and the state's ability to deliver public goods and social services. The report's findings on how over compliance and financial actors and companies, including account closures, prohibitive transaction costs and de-risking, cut off ordinary citizens from basic services are particularly salient. We urge the unconditional lifting of UCMs. And I would like to pose the following question: How can the international community move beyond condemnation to establish a binding mechanism to deliver justice and redress the populations already harmed by those unlawful measures? I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Eritrea. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nicaragua. You have the floor.

Thank you, sir. Distinguished rapporteur, we endorse the statement made by Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter. We appreciate the efforts of some countries and your efforts, madam rapporteur, to give visibility to the effect of UCMs. and promote a deeper understanding of their impact in countries where they are imposed. Your valuable work contributes to the international community and the peoples of the world understanding more fully the serious and inhumane consequences of these measures that affect the well-being of populations and create terror and suffering. This work to clarify and reject strengthens global rejection of the imposition of these measures that are against international law and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. UCMs directly and disproportionately affect civilians, in particular the most vulnerable groups. According to recent data from the UN, more than one quarter of humanity, approximately 2.5 billion countries, living countries that are under some kind of modern sanction that that punishes entire populations. It is urgent that we strengthen multilateral mechanisms in order to prevent, mitigate, and punish the use of these illegal measures. Madame Rapporteur, what do you think are the actions that should be conducted through the UN system and among member states in order to ensure full reparation to people affected and move towards the universal prohibition of UCMs in step with the UN Charter and international law. Nicaragua reiterates its commitment to defend the UN Charter, multilateralism, sovereignty of peoples, and the right of all states to development without coercion and no foreign meddling. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nicaragua. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of China. You have the floor.

Chair, My delegation has carefully studied the SRS report submitted to the GA. We commend her exposing the report excessive unilateral sanctions imposed by certain countries on Chinese academic institutions and scholars. We condemn these countries' illegal acts. Academic freedom is the cornerstone for ensuring free thinking and independent research across the academic community. Any forms of restriction could threaten academic independence and progress. Normal educational cooperation and academic exchanges should not be hampered. Certain countries often resort to UCMs under domestic laws and arbitrarily exercise long-arm jurisdiction, causing extensive harm. Such acts severely infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of the parties concerned and run counter to their self-proclaimed principles of openness and freedom and the current global trend of talent exchanges. History has proven that UCMs are one of the major culprits behind international chaos and the disrupted global order. UCMs contravene the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, undermine the foundation of multilateralism and international rule of law, infringe upon the fundamental human rights of other countries, cause systemic humanitarian disasters, tear apart global development cooperation, and severely impede the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Such illegal practices, which seek to legitimize the law of the jungle, will ultimately harm everyone, including themselves. China calls on several Western countries to heed the just appeals of the international community, fulfill their commitments of abiding by the UN Charter and the international law, and immediately, unconditionally, and completely lift their UCMs. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of China. I now give the floor I now give the floor to the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms. Elena Dohan. You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Your Excellency. First of all, I would like to thank all states which took the floor during today's discussion, and I'm grateful for the possibility of this interactive dialogue. I would like to reiterate my openness to keep the dialogue in the future as well. Academic cooperation, education and future of children and youth are the cornerstones of our future, of our development, and if these measures are affected by any elements, including the use of unilateral coercive measures, means of their enforcement and or compliance, that basically mean that our future of every country and of the world itself is endangered. My work on this report was from one side a bit easy and a bit very complicated. It was easy because the very notions and elements of the right to education, right to benefit from scientific research as well as the academic freedoms is very well developed and defined by the relevant special rapporteurs, UNESCOs, and other institutions. At the same time, the complicated part of the task was to reflect all information I received concerning the effect of UCMs, the enforcement, and our compliance with UCMs, as they affected every single element of every element of their rights, I have referred to. When we come to the use of unilateral coercive measures, cannot be justified as a political tool, because at the international arena, we have the single criteria, whether the measures taken are in conformity with international obligations from any treaty being enforced between the sanctioning state and state under sanctions or not. If they are not in conformity with such obligations, they are illegal. Another criteria important from the perspective of special procedures is whether measures taken violate fundamental human rights. And the report provides multiple figures demonstrated that this UCM's means of the enforcement and overcompliance violates every single element of the right to education, academic freedoms, and science. When we are talking about the direct impact of these on publishers or digital platforms or over compliance of financial institutions, it's possible to write a book. Because the publishers refuse to publish the academic works when they come from countries under sanctions due to precaution. Because might be these scholars will say something wrong. Traditionally, despite publications are not even submitted for peer review, even if a person is not directly under unilateral sanctions. The digital platforms refuse to provide the possibility to access with their own, that means from the country under sanctions, IP address or phone number or education, and they cannot be reached out even for academic purposes. Financial institutions block any payments and many academics which used to participate in academic cooperation actively cannot not only get access to the paid databases, quite often get paid subscriptions, but they also are not able to get their own salaries. Students are not able to enroll for online courses as well. Therefore, the impact of overcompliance is terrifying, and as I have already mentioned in my presentation, the universities in the countries which impose sanctions overcomply and also impose stricter limitations limiting academic freedoms of their own scholars and of their own students. When we are talking about the activity which can be done, and this question has been requested in several questions posed during the interactive dialogue, I would like to say that there is a number of states which shall be taken by different actors. I have already addressed measures which were supposed to be taken by the states imposing sanctions. The UN institutions shall play an extremely important role in this sphere. UNESCO, as I have mentioned, shall address this issue in its reports, besides other factors, and shall do a monitoring of the impact of UCMs on the right to education and science. I have developed a monitoring tool, which includes, inter alia, the mechanism of the monitoring and assessment of impact on the right to education and other relevant human rights. I believe that these monitoring tools shall be used as a starting point for monitoring and control and shall be turned into the permanent, constantly functioning instrument, which will be used both by the Human Rights Council and by relevant UN agencies and organs. I also believe that the role of other UN agencies is extremely important, for example, of International Labor Organization, paying attention to the work of children, rights of children, as well as the possibilities and prospects for green jobs, decent jobs, and many other elements. When we are talking about measures which can additionally be taken and which will be obligatory, I would refer to the work of the UN treaty bodies. Such bodies shall accept the cases sanctions of the enforcement over compliance, although it's very hard for these people to get access to adjudication and to remedies in the sanctioning states. For this purpose, I have launched the development of the guiding principles on effective remedies and responsibility in the face of unilateral sanctions. The first draft has been sent to all countries as well as other stakeholders, and I'm still welcoming any contributions from all states. I plan to organize a conference in Geneva in April 2026, and I hope that it will be a good platform for all of us, including for States, to discuss this issue and to think about the development of the binding instruments in this field. So far, when we are talking about the another instruments available, as usually, I'm inviting all states to use the existing instruments, for example, the bringing cases for international adjudication at different levels, encouraging the discussion in this. I would like to repeat today, the my call which I have already done and I'm still doing for the six years and today is the last time when I'm presenting my report to the third committee of the General Assembly as the special rapporteur on UCMs. The use of unilateral sanctions is currently against international law, same as enforcement of such sanctions and therefore states which are imposing sanctions, enforcing sanctions and even implementing sanctions are violating their international obligations. At the same time, private actors and businesses are also not free from their responsibility. They are both responsible alongside with states. So, therefore, when we are talking about businesses or other private entities involved in the area of education, including universities, academic professional associations, and financial institution. They all shall refrain from any activity affecting all elements of the right to education, right to benefit from scientific process and academic freedoms, or constituting discrimination due to any nexus to unilateral sanctions. They shall ensure the decisions on publication, participation in academic events or training of individuals, use of online platforms and instruments are taken based on academic criteria only, without any discrimination or sanctions reduce description. I would like to thank once again all participants of the interactive dialogue and hope that dialogue, international law and principles of humanity will help us to find a solution and to protect human rights. I thank you for your attention.

I thank the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. Distinguished delegates, we will now hear general statements on any or all items. I would like to remind delegations of the time limit of three minutes. Delegation wishing to deliver a statement are invited to press their microphone button. Any spillover requests will be accommodated at the following meeting for general statements. To assist speakers in managing their time, a timer is visible on the screen. The microphone light will start blinking 30 seconds before the expiration of the time limit, and the microphone will be automatically switched off. when the time is up. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uganda.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I have to repeat this statement because I'm delivering it on behalf of NAM, and I couldn't finish during the earlier part of the day on the right to food. Mr. Chair, it's an honor for Uganda to take the floor on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. At the outset, we would like to express our appreciation for the briefing and for the work of Mr. Mike Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, to whom we pledge our support in the fulfillment of his mandate. Mr. Chair, during the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement held in January 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, the Heads of State and Government reaffirmed that hunger constitutes a violation of human dignity and called for urgent measures at the national, regional and international levels for its elimination. They also reaffirmed the right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food consistent with the right to food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger so as to be able to fully develop and maintain his or her physical and mental capacities. They also stress that it is essential for states to promote efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions. In this connection, the Member States of the NAM expressed their deep concern at the high volatility in global food prices, which directly challenge the fundamental human right to food. Member States also took note of the limited progress that has been made in reducing hunger in the world. In this context, Non-aligned movement emphasize the need to leverage the role of South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation as a means to promote and support industrial, semi-industrial ventures and ensure food security and nutrition, including through the promotion of sustainable agriculture and food systems. In addition, we take note of the need to further examine various concepts such as food sovereignty in relation to food security and the right to food, taking into account the need to avoid negative impacts on the enjoyment. To conclude, the NAM reiterates that food should not be used as an instrument for political and economic pressure and therefore reaffirms the importance of international cooperation. I thank.

I thank the distinguished representative of Uganda for his statement on behalf of NAM. We have heard the last speaker on my list for this meeting. The Committee will continue its consideration of agenda item 71, promotion and protection of human rights, and the sub-items A to D on Tuesday the 21st of October at 10 AM sharp. To hear statements by the special raptor, mandate holder, and other experts and engage with them in an interactive dialogue. Thereafter, the committee will resume its general statements on any or all agenda items as time permitted. Before adjourning, I would like to remind delegations that the deadline for submission of draft proposal under item 26, Advancement of Women, 68, Rights of Children, and 68, Rights of Indigenous People, 00 p.m. cut off deadline time is 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday the 21st of October information on the work of the committee including the schedule of meeting and item deadlines is available on I Gov this meeting is adjourned