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The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has adopted a resolution on “Human Rights and Climate Change” led by Bangladesh during its 59th session in Geneva, Switzerland. The resolution, passed by consensus, was spearheaded by Bangladesh on behalf of a core group comprising Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In a statement delivered before the adoption, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Tarek Md. Ariful Islam, highlighted the severe impacts of climate change on millions worldwide, particularly threatening their rights to life, health, housing, social security, and development. Ambassador Tarek Md. Ariful Islam emphasized that the resolution addresses the significant gap between the growing need for climate action and the availability of climate finance. It identifies shortcomings in existing global climate funding mechanisms and proposes actionable solutions. Notably, the resolution calls for simplifying access to climate funds for developing countries. It urges developed nations and the international community to provide new, additional, adequate, and predictable climate financing, alongside technology transfer and capacity-building support for developing nations. Furthermore, it advocates for special provisions to support debt-stressed countries in addressing climate change impacts. For the first time, the resolution incorporates the need for appropriate remedies and compensation to address harm and human rights violations caused by climate change. It also requests the UN Secretary-General to submit a synthesis report at the 63rd session of the UNHRC, outlining actionable pathways to mobilize sufficient climate financing and overcome related challenges to ensure the full realization of human rights for all. The adoption of this resolution marks another milestone in Bangladesh’s leadership in global climate diplomacy, reinforcing its commitment to addressing the human rights implications of climate change. The 59th session of the UNHRC concluded with this significant achievement.
