The OHRC, represented by a delegation headed by honorable Sheikh Abdullah bin Shuwain Al Hosni, Chairman of the Committee, took part in the International Conference on “Climate Change and Human Rights” organized by the State of Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Development Programme, the Arab League and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
More than 300 representatives of countries, international organizations, think tanks, universities, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations and international experts participated in the conference, where they discussed climate change issues from a human rights perspective, and came up with concrete recommendations for rights-based climate action for the benefit of all.
The conference aimed to emphasize the importance of rights-based climate action, to highlight good practices relevant to the State of Qatar and other actors and partners, including governments, the UN, civil society organizations and companies, as well as develop recommendations to enhance cooperation to support rights-based climate action all over the world, and especially in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The Conference recommended that countries and stakeholders work together to ensure that human rights law, principles and standards are the cornerstone of Governments’ efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change in order to reduce loss and damage and integrate human rights, including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, into the outcomes of the climate-related negotiations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, promote environmental justice in particular for affected persons and groups, and support rights-holders and duty-bearers to uphold the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
The Conference’s recommendations stressed on the importance of enhancing international cooperation, supporting technology transfer and building capacity to mitigate the effects of climate change. Additionally, the recommendations emphasized supporting improved access to climate finance, ensuring free, meaningful and effective participation of all people, integrating women’s rights and gender equality into climate action, and monitoring the impacts of climate change on human rights.
The OHRC delegation comprised H.E. Dr Hamoud bin Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Yahyai, member, Labiba bint Mohammed Al-Maawaliyah, member, Salem bin Saif Al-Shuaili, Director of the Office of the Chairman of the committee, Khazina bint Muslim Al-Rahbiya, Director of the Office of commission & Subcommittee Affairs, Maryam bint Mohammed Al-Balushiya, Director of the Quality & Planning Department, and Salem bin Khalfan Al-Roshdi, Head of the Media Department of the OHRC.
