Ref: 2025/PR/55
The Permanent Mission of Maldives, in collaboration with Costa Rica, Morocco, Slovenia, Switzerland and co-hosted by Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) hosted a Side Event titled “Advancing the universal human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment: taking stock and what next?” during the High-Level Segment of the 58th Session of the Human Right Council, today.
Ambassador Dr. Salma Rasheed, the Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations, delivered the opening remarks, stressing the importance of moving from commitment to tangible actions in realizing the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
The key note address was presented by, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullah Khaleel. He reflected on the Maldives' long-standing leadership in climate advocacy, recalling the 1989 Malé Declaration on Sea Level Rise. Minister Khaleel also emphasised that for Small Island Developing States like the Maldives, the right to a clean environment is not just a policy issue but a matter of survival and security. In this regard, he called for continued global action to address the climate crisis and ensure the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is fully and effectively implemented. Minister Khaleel then reaffirmed the Maldives' commitment to lead in shaping solutions for a sustainable future.
Following the keynote, a panel discussion featured H.E. Mr. Alejandro Solano Ortiz, Vice-Minister of Multilateral Affairs of Costa Rica, video message by Ms. Astrid Puentes Riaño, Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, along with two representatives from the Civil Society. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Marc Limon, Executive Director, Universal Rights Group.
The purpose of the event was to assess the progress made since the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly adopted historic resolutions in 2021 and 2022, respectively, recognizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a universal human right. The panelists discussed the steps taken by governments, international organizations, and civil society to implement and realize this right at the national, regional, and international levels.
Ambassador Anita Pipan, the Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations, delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing the need for the Human Rights Council and the wider UN human rights system to maintain their leadership and ambition in promoting the further advancement of this fundamental right.
The side event provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to take stock of the progress made and to identify the remaining challenges and opportunities in ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can enjoy the right to live in a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
ENDS