Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda

In March 2018, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 37/24 regarding the promotion and protection of human rights and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Within this resolution, the Council decided to organize intersessional meetings for dialogue and cooperation on human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Agenda of the United Nations in New York focuses, in many ways, primarily on Sustainable Development while the United Nations in Geneva focuses on Human Rights issues; however, while the two are distinct, they are multifaceted, interconnected, and one in the same. This meeting was designed to bridge the gap between the two agendas in order to increase dialogue, exchange practical experiences and deepen the relationship between human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.

On 16 January 2019, States, relevant United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) came together for the first intercessional meeting. This meeting focused on the 2019 session of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) ("Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality"), which will review global progress in achieving the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4 (Quality education), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (Climate Change), SDG 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the goals). The meeting gave space to voluntarily share good practices, achievements, challenges and lessons learned in the promotion and protection of human rights and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Notable presentations were given by Mrs Mary Robinson, Chair of the Elders and President of the Mary Robinson Foundation—Climate justice, Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Access their presentations and recorded webcast of sessions.

Human rights and SDG implementation must be mutually reinforcing. Achieving the sustainable development goals will contribute significantly to the realisation of human rights, including importantly through the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions. A human rights-based approach, with the attendant features of participation, accountability, and non-discrimination, is essential if the 2030 Agenda is to be realised in a way that truly does 'leave no one behind.' -Mary Robinson

Messages to: Angela Reed rsm - MIA-MGA Coordinator at the UN