UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

57^th session

Item 8 General Debate

3 October 2024

Joint Statement on the importance of civil society participation in international climate discussions

Mr President,

The European Union has the honour to deliver this Joint Statement on behalf of 61 countries.

The ongoing climate crisis requires immediate accelerated action and strengthened ambition of the whole international community. We again underscore the need to fully integrate human rights in the global responses to climate change and other environmental crises. The global green transition needs to be just and inclusive.

A crucial element to advance this agenda is to ensure transparent, inclusive, safe and meaningful participation and leadership, both online and offline, by civil society, including climate activists, human rights defenders, women, youth, and persons with disabilities and others marginalized, in international climate discussions.

For COP29 to meet the expectations from people worldwide, especially those particularly affected by climate change, such as children and elderly, Indigenous Peoples, citizens of small island states, small scale farmers, just to name a few, the conference needs to provide an enabling environment for civil society, free from intimidation, harassment, arbitrary surveillance and reprisals.   

COP29 is an opportunity for the host country to reaffirm its commitment to its obligations under international human rights law and ensure the conditions for the work of a free and independent civil society. We hope that the constructive engagement of civil society with governments at the conference will encourage Azerbaijan to recognize civil society’s role and to respect, protect and fulfil the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of expression, including media freedom in the future.

We must all act together to fulfil our responsibilities towards our planet, present and future generations. Nobody knows this better than those particularly affected. Let’s ensure that their voices can resound strong and free and contribute to all international climate discussions.

Thank you.

Signed by:

1. Antigua and Barbuda,
2. Albania,
3. Andorra,
4. Armenia,
5. Australia,
6. Austria,
7. Bahamas,
8. Belgium,
9. Bosnia and Herzegovina,
10. Bulgaria,
11. Cabo Verde,
12. Canada,
13. Costa Rica,
14. Croatia,
15. Cyprus,
16. Czech Republic,
17. Denmark,
18. Dominican Republic,
19. Ecuador,
20. Estonia,
21. Federated States of Micronesia,
22. Fiji,
23. Finland,
24. France,
25. Germany,
26. Greece,
27. Hungary,
28. Iceland,
29. Ireland,
30. Italy,
31. Latvia,
32. Liechtenstein,
33. Lithuania,
34. Luxembourg,
35. Malawi,
36. Malta,
37. Marshall Islands,
38. Moldova,
39. Monaco,
40. Montenegro,
41. Nauru,
42. Netherlands,
43. New Zealand,
44. Norway,
45. North Macedonia,
46. Panama,
47. Poland,
48. Portugal,
49. Romania,
50. San Marino,
51. Slovakia,
52. Slovenia,
53. Spain,
54. Serbia,
55. Sweden,
56. Switzerland,
57. Timor-Leste,
58. Ukraine,
59. United Kingdom,
60. Uruguay,
61. USA