Expert Meeting on Climate Change and Human Rights 6-7 October 2016

OHCHR hosted an expert meeting on climate change and human rights from 6 - 7 October 2016 in Room XXIV of the Palais des Nations. This two-day meeting brought together States, civil society organizations, UN Agencies and experts to consider the implications of recent State commitments, including in the Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, related to human rights and climate change. The meeting included both expert panel discussions and interactive breakout groups. It was informed by the following short discussion papers:

• The rights of persons, groups and peoples disproportionately impacted by climate change;
• Human rights, migration, and displacement related to the adverse impacts of climate change; and
• Taking action on human rights and climate change.

The modalities and logistics note is available here. Specific instructions for the breakout discussion groups are available here
For immediate inquiries please contact Mr. Benjamin Schachter (bschachter@ohchr.org). The concept note and programme of work are available here.

A draft summary of recommendations from the meeting is available here. The programme of speakers and available presentations are included below.

Chair: Mr. Bat-Erdene Ayush, Chief, Right to Development Section, OHCHR

• Ms. Kate Gilmore, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights   
• Ms. Mary Robinson, President, Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice
• H.E. Ms. Elayne Whyte Gomez, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva speaking on behalf of the Geneva Pledge for Human Rights in Climate Action
• H.E. Mr. Negash Kebret, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and International Organisations in Switzerland and Vienna

Chair: Ms. Barbara Ruis, Legal Officer, UN Environment

• Mr. Michael Burger, Executive Director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
• Ms. Isabell Kempf, Co-director, UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative (video)
• Ms. Andrea Carmen, Executive Director, International Indian Treaty Council
• Mr. Martin Oelz, Senior Specialist on Equality and Non-Discrimination, ILO (video)
• Ms. Verona Collantes, Intergovernmental Specialist, UN Women
• Ms. Joni Pegram, Senior Policy & Advocacy Adviser (Climate Change), UNICEF UK
• Ms. Nelly Caleb, National Coordinator and Co-Chair Pacific Disabilities Forum

Chair: Ms. Mary Robinson, President, Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice

• Ms. Pia Oberoi, Adviser on Migration and Human Rights, OHCHR
• Mr. Atle Solberg, Head of Coordination Unit, Platform on Disaster Displacement
• Ms. Dina Ionesco, Head, Migration, Environment and Climate Change Division, International Organization for Migration
• Ms. Michelle Yonetani, Senior Strategic Advisor, Disasters and Climate Change, Internal Displacement Monitoring Center
• Mr. Geoff Dabelko, Professor and Director, Environmental Studies Program, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, Ohio University
• Ms. Ellen Hansen, Senior Policy Adviser reporting to the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, UNHCR
• Mr. Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief - Intergovernmental Policy Support and Legal Questions, UNISDR

Chair: Mr. Yves Lador, Permanent Representative of Earthjustice in Geneva

• Ms. Catalina Devandas Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities
• Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
• Ms. Hilal Elver Special Rapporteur on the right to food
• Mr. Roberto Cadiz, Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
• Mr. Khalid Ramli, Head, United Nations System Section, National Human Rights Council Morocco (CNDH)
• Ms. Nahla Haidar, Member, Committee of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
• Ms. Kirsten Sandberg, Member, Committee of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Ms. Eniko Horvath, Senior Researcher, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

Chair: Mr. Vicente Yu, Deputy Executive Director, South Centre

• Ms. Mariana Bolshakova, Legal Officer, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Ms. Stella Funsani Gama, Deputy Director of Forestry, Malawi
• Ms. Ratha Chhan, Deputy Director of Women & Education Department, Ministry of Women's Affairs, Cambodia
• Ms. Maria Jose Veramendi, Senior Attorney, Human Rights and Environment Programme, Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA)
• Mr. Sébastien Duyck, Senior Attorney, Center for International Environmental Law
• Ms. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Coordinator, Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad
• Mr. Ademola Oluborode Jegede, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public & International Law, University of Venda
• Mr. Josep A. Garí, Senior Policy Advisor, Sustainable Development Cluster & UN-REDD Partnership, UNDP