On 16 August 2019, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Between UNEP and OHCHR (MoU) (see joint press release). While UNEP and OHCHR have had a strong working relationship in the field of human rights and the environment over the past several years, the MoU formalizes and strengthens this collaboration in concrete areas. Specifically, building on past cooperation between Special Procedures and UNEP, the MoU identifies “[s]upport to and collaboration with relevant UN Special Procedures, in particular the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment”, as one of several areas of enhanced cooperation. In addition, UNEP and OHCHR, including Special Procedures, will now cooperate more closely through monitoring, advocacy, and other activities to address the intensifying threats against individuals and communities defending their environmental and land rights in many areas of the world. The enhanced partnership will also encourage greater acceptance by leaders and governments of the human right to a healthy environment with a view toward its global recognition. It will furthermore seek to increase support to national governments to promote human rights-based policies, particularly in terms of sustainable management of natural resources, development planning, and action to combat climate change.

On 25 October 2019, the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Maria Grazia Giammarinano, participated in an Arria Formula meeting entitled “Trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation in (post-) conflict situations: integrating a comprehensive approach to trafficking in persons into the Women, Peace and Security agenda of the Security Council”. For further information, please refer to the note on the event and her statement to the Security Council.

In December 2018, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities participated in an Arria formula meeting of the Security Council on the situation of persons with disabilities in armed conflict – Read her statement

In March 2018, the Chair of the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures sent a letter to the Security Council sharing information about the work of special procedures mandate holders that is deemed pertinent to the work of the Security Council (S/2018/280). The letter illustrates how the work of special procedures, be it thematic or country related) could be of interest to the Security Council and expresses the interest of special procedures in improving their engagement with United Nations bodies, such as the Security Council, with a view to enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights as a key element in the maintenance of international peace and security.

On 21 November 2017, the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in human beings raised awareness, shared her experience and made concrete recommendations on addressing trafficking in persons in conflict situations in the context of maintaining international peace and security, during the United Nations Security Council Open Debate convened the by Italian Presidency. Her views were considered in the unanimously adopted Resolution 2388 (2017) through which the Security Council reiterates its condemnation of trafficking in persons.

In March 2017, the Special Rapporteur on slavery gave a presentation at the Security Council ministerial open debate on trafficking in persons in conflict situations, forced labour, slavery and other similar practices. She called for greater coordination and leadership against slavery and related phenomena and for Council members to ratify and implement international standards, as well as discussing the need to strengthen humanitarian responses to conflict situations and to increase national and international accountability for slavery-related human rights abuses in conflict.

Video link to the Security Council open debate on Conflict-related sexual violence with participation of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children (2 June 2016)

Note on the Security Council open debate on Women, Peace and Security - Displaced Women and Girls: Leaders and Survivors with participation of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of Internally Displaced Persons, 28 October 2014 – Read his full statement

Note on the Security Council meeting in Arria Formula on Protection of Internally Displaced Persons with participation of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of Internally Displaced Persons, 30 May 2014

Note on the Security Council meeting in Arria Formula on Protecting Journalists with the participation from the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, 13 December 2013 – Read his full speech

In May 2017, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted resolution 373 endorsing the Regional Action Plan on Albinism in Africa (2017-2021) to address attacks against persons with albinism in Africa, developed by the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism.

On 3 March 2017, together with his counterparts from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression issued the Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and "Fake News", Disinformation and Propaganda.

Outcome Review of Addis Ababa Roadmap (E | F)

Final Communiqué of the 55th Ordinary Session, 28 April – 12 May 2014 (E | F)

"Unity is fundamental in our fight for human rights" stress United Nations and African experts on key anniversary (11 October 2012, news release)

United Nations and African Union special mechanisms on human rights adopt a roadmap for greater cooperation (8 January 2012, news release)