Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) remains the leading international guidepost for achieving freedom, equality, and justice for everyone. The year 2023, with activities in communities, countries and regions around the world, was both a fitting tribute as well as a forerunner to the Geneva high-level event on 11-12 December 2023.

During these two days, we witnessed the culmination of all the dialogues, thematic consultations, multistakeholder recommendations, as well as the birth and growth of our pledging tree. The Human rights 75 high-level event was convened by UN Human Rights and co-hosted by the Government of Switzerland. Participants included Member States, civil society organizations, cities and local governments, human rights defenders, parliamentary representatives, United Nations entities, academics, experts, young people and artists. Side events took place in the regional hubs, at the Palais des Nations and in virtual rooms.

In addition to the high-level event, UN Human Rights held a human rights concert with the support of artists from around the world to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December.

Day 1 highlights

Member States, civil society actors, experts and human rights defenders met in Geneva on 11 December during the first day of a high-level event to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Hosted by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, the event is an occasion to craft a common vision for the future of human rights and to rejuvenate the spirit that led to the adoption of the Declaration at a time when the protection and promotion of human rights is more relevant than ever.

• 75 seconds for Human Rights
• Shine a light for Human Rights

Day 2 highlights

Promising to rejuvenate the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, heads of State and Government, civil society groups and human rights defenders gathered in Geneva on 12 December to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the landmark text.

• #HumanRights75: Pledges and vision for the future
• Photos from the HR75 High-level event photos

Programme

Download the Agenda [PDF]

Download the Event Flyer [PDF]

Think pieces:

The future of human rights and peace and security [PDF]
The future of human rights and digital technologies [PDF]
The future of human rights, development and the economy [PDF]
The future of human rights, the environment and climate [PDF]

Discussion papers:

The future of human rights and peace and security

• Peace and security additional background paper
• Roundtable human rights prevention peace - 20-Nov-2023 - Summary

The future of human rights and digital technologies

• Digital technologies background document

The future of human rights, development and the economy

• Economy background document

The future of human rights, the environment and climate

• Healthy environment background document

Monday 11 December

Tuesday 12 December: Leaders’ Segment

Each roundtable convened heads of State or Government, high level dignitaries, experts, and other distinguished panellists.