The adoption of the resolution recognising the right to a healthy, clean and sustainable environment is the result of long-standing efforts of Slovenia and other co-initiating states that combined living environment issues with human rights. At the global level, the resolution extends the framework for the protection of human rights to address some of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, such as pollution of air, land and seas, climate change, excessive use of natural resources, etc., thus contributing to the upcoming COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. Slovenia proposed the resolution together with Costa Rica, the Maldives, Morocco and Switzerland.

We are delighted that the resolution was supported by as many as 43 Human Rights Council Member States (four abstained), which further increases its importance. The adoption of the resolution was welcomed by Michelle Bachele, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,  and Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), while David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, proclaimed this a historic achievement.

The adoption of a substantive resolution on the rights of older persons that Slovenia presented together with Argentina and Brazil is based on more than a decade of efforts. The resolution addressing oldism and age discrimination was adopted unanimously.