HRC63 - EU Statement - Panel discussion on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

63^rd session

Panel discussion on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities

 

9 September 2026

EU statement

Mr. President,

The EU welcomes today’s dialogue that advances the work of this Council on economic, social and cultural rights. 

The European Union addresses ESCRs and systemic inequalities by combining domestic legislative frameworks, intersectional equality strategies, and human rights policies. 

Our Member States lead on a number of HRC resolutions in this area, such as the right on safe drinking water and sanitation tabled at this council session, for example. Other resolutions are on key issues such as education, adequate housing, mental health, sustainable development and extreme poverty, as well as the omnibus resolution on the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights.

The EU follows a human rights-based approach in its international cooperation to ensure that no one is left behind and that development is rights-driven and transparent. The principles of universality, indivisibility, interrelatedness and interdependence of all human rights guide our work.  A human rights-based approach ensures that rights holders are able to hold governments accountable for the enjoyment of their social, economic and cultural rights. 

For decades EU has actively supported this approach and we are committed to supporting it in the future through partnerships and cooperation. Through the Global Gateway strategy, we promote public and private sustainable investment in building and strengthening health, education and research. 

We commend the Office for its work in this field and encourage the High Commissioner to continue his work. We appreciate that the Knowledge Hub on ESCRs has evolved into an interactive practical tool for global use.

Distinguished panellists,

What main trends do you identify in successful rights-based national practices aiming at providing quality public services for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights?

Thank you.