26th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development (12 - 15 May 2025, Palais des Nations, Geneva)
Time (Geneva time): 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00
The Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development will hold its 26th session from 12-15 May 2025, 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00, in Tempus, Palais des Nations, Geneva. Due to measures relating to the financial situation of the United Nations Secretariat, the session has been exceptionally shortened to four days. At this session, the Working Group will continue to monitor and review progress made in the promotion and implementation of the right to development. It will hold an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to development and with the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development.Simultaneous interpretation in the six UN official languages will be available.Documentation
- Provisional agenda (A/HRC/WG.2/26/1)
- Draft programme of work (English only)
- Human Rights Council resolution on the right to development (A/HRC/RES/57/19)
- General Assembly resolution on the right to development (A/RES/79/170)
- Report of the Working Group on the Right to Development on its twenty-fifth session (A/HRC/57/38)
- Report of the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the right to development (A/HRC/57/24)
- Reports of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development
- Reports of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development
Accreditation
UN Member and Observer States, specialized agencies and other international organizations, national human rights institutions with "A status" accreditation, and NGOs with ECOSOC consultative status may participate in the Working Group.All participants are required to register using the registration form for the 26th session of the Working Group. The registration will remain open until 17:00 Geneva time, Friday, 9 May 2025.Statements
- Opening Statement by High-Commissioner, Mr. Volker Türk
- Opening Statement by Chair-Rapporteur, Ambassador Zamir Akram
Theme: Children, future generations and development
(concept note | speaker's bios)
Presentations by:
- Ms. Hynd Ayoubi Idrissi, Member of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
- Mr. Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the right to development (video mesage)
- Ms. Karin Arts, Erasmus University of Rotterdam
- Mr. Miloon Kothari, member of the Drafting Group of the Maastricht Initiative for the Human Rights of Future Generations
- Ms. Anne Mahrer, co-founder, Senior Women for Climate Protection (Aînées pour le climat/ KlimaSeniorinnen)
- Mr. Irfan Pullani, Youth Sub-Committee, Group of Advocates for the Right to Development
(concept note | speakers’ bios)
Presentations by:
- Ms. Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debts
- Mr. Juan Flores Zendejas, University of Geneva
- Ms. Yuefen Li, the South Centre
- H.E. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See
- H.E. Mr. Bilal Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan
- Ms. Bhumika Muchhala, Third World Network (video message)
- Mr. Livio Sarandrea, UNDP
(concept note| speakers’ bios)
Presentations by:
- Mr. Nico Schrijver, University of Leiden
- Mr. Bonny Ibhawoh, Member of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development (video message)
- Ms. Anexa Alfred Cunningham, Vice-Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Mr. Frans Viljoen, University of Pretoria Faculty of Law (video message)
- Ms. Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights (video message)
- Mr. Victor Kattan, University of Nottingham School of Law
(concept note | speakers’ bios)
Presentations by:
- Ms. Alena Douhan, Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures
- Mr. Marko Milanovic, University of Reading School of Law (video message)
- Ms. Mariateresa Garrido Villareal, University for Peace
- Mr. Joost Pauwelyn, the Graduate Institute
- Mr. Mohsen Ghanei, the Islamic Republic of Iran
(concept note | speakers' bios)
Presentations by:
- Ms. Diana Camerini, UNCTAD
- Ms. María-José Veramendi Villa, OHCHR
- Mr. Nasser Algheitta, Permanent Mission of Libya
- Mr. Gerard Kamdem Kamga, University of the Free State
- Mr. Abdul Muheet Chowdhary, the South Centre
- Ms. Francesca Grandi, Transparency International
Statements by:
- Ms. Isabelle Durant, Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development
- Mr. Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the right to development
Link access: 26th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development.