Realizing Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights invites, with the co-sponsorship of the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Uruguay, on behalf of the Group of Friends of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights[1]

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the 3rd anniversary of the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR (OP-ICESCR), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Group of Friends of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will co-host on 13 July 2016 an special event to facilitate constructive and informed dialogue about the importance of the ESCR in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Programme

• Mr. Ivan Simonovic, Assistance Secretary General for Human Rights
• H.E. Amb. Oh Joon, President of the ECOSOC (TBC)
• H.E. Amb. Alvaro Mendonça e Moura, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations
• H.E. Amb. Elbio Rosselli, Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the United Nations
• NGO Coalition for the OP-ICESCR

Statements and comments from the floor

Conclusions by the panel 

Background

Over the last five decades, the vast majority of countries have accepted obligations to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in particular. Civil society groups across the world have mobilized to make human rights a reality. Consequently, many governments have taken measures and adopted policies to advance the fulfillment of these rights.  However, inequalities and lack of access to fundamental rights persist for millions of people. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development constitutes an unique opportunity to reflect on both advances and challenges in ensuring lives with dignity, given the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Covenants and the 3rd anniversary of the entry into force of the OP-ICESCR.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the 3rd anniversary of the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR (OP-ICESCR), the Group of Friends of ESCR and OHCHR will host an informative meeting to take stock of recent progress and to facilitate constructive and informed dialogue about the importance of the ESCR in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Participation

This event is open to all Member States, civil society representatives and general public. In case you are interested and do not have a UN badge, please write to urudeleg@mrree.gub.uy or ana.fernandes@mne.org

Read the concept note here.