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SAMARKAND DECLARATION ON THE GLOBAL PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE: COMMITMENTS AND ACTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

 

We are participants in the “Fourth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights “ Ecological challenges: The future of human rights in a changing world, the search for sustainable solutions ”, including representatives of government authorities, academia , civil society and international organizations, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, June 13-14, 2024:

We express our gratitude His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev , President of the Republic of Uzbekistan , for His initiative to convene this Forum, announced at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly and the 46th session of the Human Rights Council;

recognizing the importance of global environmental issues and the need for joint efforts to resolve them, noting with deep respect the initiatives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan put forward at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly on the development of the World Environmental Charter, as well as at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly on the adoption of a resolution “Central Asia in the face of global climate threats: solidarity for common prosperity.”

Recalling that climate change poses one of the most significant threats to sustainable development, peace and security, and to the full enjoyment of human rights, including the rights to health, access to water and food, and the right to a safe, clean, healthy life and sustainable environment;

Reaffirming the urgency and scale of the challenges facing the global community in the field of human rights in the context of global climate change and reaffirming the need for global, united and urgent action to counter these challenges and minimize their impact on the lives and well-being of all peoples of the world;

Emphasizing that states have a primary responsibility to protect the human rights of their citizens from the negative impacts of climate change, which includes obligations not only to mitigate climate change, but also to adapt, ensuring that adaptation measures do not violate human rights and contribute to their promotion;

In the spirit of Article 2 of the Paris Agreement, which calls for the inclusion of human rights in the context of climate initiatives, international cooperation and solidarity, there is a particular focus on the need to support developing countries, which includes technology transfer, financial support and capacity building to ensure their ability to protect human rights in conditions of a changing climate;

Whereas humanity faces increased and unique risks from climate change, that these impacts are already occurring, and that the heaviest burden falls on the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups;

Reiterating particular concern about the impact of climate change on marginalized groups whose traditional ways of life and livelihoods are under threat, reaffirming the need to recognize and protect the rights of this group in accordance with universally recognized international human rights instruments.

I note the need to create and strengthen financing mechanisms to support countries and communities facing the greatest challenges in the areas of climate change and human rights, which includes not only international financial support, but also the development of innovative financial instruments that promote sustainable development and protection human rights.

Emphasizing the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as fundamental international instruments for mobilizing the global community to respond to the challenges posed by climate change and to ensure the protection of human rights in this context;

Recalling the commitment of States in the Paris Agreement to respect, promote and take into account their respective human rights obligations when taking action to combat climate change;

Recalling also Human Rights Council resolutions 37/8, 35/20 and 40/11, which address human rights, including the rights of young people, taking into account environmental harm and climate change and that a safe climate is a vital element of the right to a safe , a clean, healthy and sustainable environment essential to human life and well-being;

Recognizing that the greening of the world's constitutions is not only a matter of environmental conservation, but also the foundation for sustainable development, social justice and guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms;

emphasizing that the constitutionalization of ecology should become a mandatory element in the development strategy of each state, reflecting the urgent need for a global and solidarity response to environmental challenges, including the obligations of states to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations, ensuring that environmental well-being and human rights were interconnected and inseparable in any political and legal system;

inspired by the progress and challenges of our time, as well as the need to integrate environmental rights into the basis of constitutional development and standards at the international and national levels;

 

We, the participants of the Fourth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights , dedicated to strengthening the protection and promotion of human rights in the context of global climate change, gathered in the historical city of Samarkand , and united by the common goal of creating a fair, sustainable and inclusive future for all peoples of the world, hereby declare the following recommendations and suggestions:

Key recommendations:

1. Advocate for global recognition and implementation of the inalienable human right to a healthy environment, and take action to enshrine this right, where appropriate, in national, regional and global frameworks and/or national policies and legislation;
2. intensifying efforts to create and implement international and national guidelines to ensure that all measures to combat climate change and adapt to its impacts take into account human rights, and especially the rights of the most vulnerable groups of people;
3. Expanding and deepening international cooperation on research and data exchange on the impact of climate change on human rights to develop effective global and regional adaptation strategies, including supporting research, sharing knowledge and best practices, and developing innovative solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change ;
4. implementation of integrated national policies and action plans to combat climate change, taking into account the protection of human rights, especially focusing on vulnerable groups, which implies the development of comprehensive approaches that simultaneously address climate challenges and promote human rights, including access to clean water , food, health and a safe environment;
5. development of educational programs and information campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness of the connection between climate change and human rights, to promote environmental responsibility and enhance civic participation, including information on ways everyone can individually and collectively contribute to protecting the environment and promoting compliance human rights, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable groups;
6. creation and strengthening of mechanisms to ensure access to justice for victims of human rights violations related to climate change, including specialized mechanisms and support programs in particular, providing not only legal assistance, but also the development of procedures to effectively consider and resolve claims related to with environmental and climatic disturbances;

    7. increasing funding to support research and projects to understand the impact of climate change on human rights and to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies, especially in the most vulnerable regions;

8. Ensuring that climate action is designed and implemented in a way that reduces inequalities and strengthens human rights, especially for vulnerable groups;
9. Develop and implement mechanisms that ensure the active participation of marginalized groups in climate-related decision-making by creating platforms for dialogue to express their views and suggestions, and ensuring that these views are taken into account in the design and implementation of climate change policies. measures;

  10. Implementing approaches that combine the protection of human rights with sustainable development goals, with a particular emphasis on access to clean water, food, health and a safe environment, requiring cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination between different levels of government and public organizations;

11. Encouraging the development and application of clean technologies, as well as sustainable agricultural and production practices that take into account the rights and well-being of all population groups, with a focus on supporting innovation and providing incentives for businesses and individuals to move towards cleaner and energy efficient technologies, as well as implementing resource management practices that help reduce the environmental footprint;
12. Expanding the meaningful participation of children and youth in processes related to climate change, including through the dialogue “Empowering Climate Action” , through participation in the Youth Delegate Program of the Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC) and explore opportunities to meaningfully support the priorities of the Youth Climate Movement (YOUUNGO);
13. implementing accountability and accountability mechanisms that ensure that states and other stakeholders implement their obligations to protect human rights in implementing the Paris Agreement;
14. Promoting international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against climate change to ensure that global efforts respect and protect human rights and contribute to reducing inequalities.

As we move forward with proposals and initiatives, we highlight the following priority areas of action that will contribute to the realization of our shared mission and vision for a sustainable future,

1. Establishment of an international working group on climate change and human rights to coordinate efforts, exchange best practices and monitor progress in implementing international obligations ;
2. Development and adoption of an international legal instrument specifically dedicated to the protection of human rights in the context of climate change, to provide legally binding standards of action for countries ;
3. Introduce the principle of “do no harm” into all policies and programs related to climate change to prevent possible negative impacts on human rights;
4. Encouraging the private sector to implement sustainable practices and standards of corporate responsibility aimed at reducing climate impact and improving human rights protection;
5. Development of international standards aimed at assessing the impact of climate change on human rights, which includes the creation of progressive methodologies and tools that can adequately reflect the complex impact of climate change on people’s lives, their health, living conditions and access to basic resources, such like clean water and food;
6. Incorporate comprehensive human rights impact assessments into all climate projects and programs, based on principles of transparency, inclusiveness and equity, ensuring that climate action not only reduces carbon emissions and improves environmental sustainability, but also actively protects and promoted human rights;
7. Organizing information campaigns, as well as developing and implementing strategically planned communication initiatives aimed at informing the public about the importance of certain issues, including the need for action in response to global challenges such as climate change, protecting human rights, ensuring sustainable development and others;
8. Stimulating the transition to a green economy, through the adoption of comprehensive measures and increased investment flows into sectors that contribute to sustainable development, including financing projects in the field of renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency and introducing sustainable technologies aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels, minimizing harmful emissions in atmosphere and promotion of environmentally friendly production;
9. Development of support programs for small and medium-sized businesses aimed at introducing environmentally sustainable practices and creating “green” jobs;
10. Introducing strict liability measures for companies and organizations whose actions harm the climate and the environment;

   11. Establishment of a specialized international judicial body that will hear cases related to violations of the climate obligations of countries and corporations that have a significant negative impact on climate and human rights;

12. Development and implementation of a mechanism for a global tax on CO2 emissions for companies and countries, the proceeds from which are used to finance projects to adapt to climate change and protect human rights in the most vulnerable regions;
13. Investments in the creation of smart cities and settlements equipped with technologies to minimize environmental impact, ensure climate change resilience and improve the quality of life of the population
14. Development of international educational programs aimed at raising awareness of climate change, its impact on human rights and ways of acting at the individual and collective levels;
15. Development and implementation of an international system of digital labeling of goods and services, which will allow consumers to see the carbon footprint of products, which encourages manufacturers to reduce emissions and consumers to make more sustainable choices
16. Create a global program to support people displaced by climate change, including new housing, educational and employment opportunities in host communities.
17. In light of existing international agreements, including the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which emphasize the need for global initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect human rights, it is proposed to initiate consolidated efforts to promote the adoption of the resolution “Central Asia in the face of global climate change” threats: solidarity for shared prosperity."

 

We , the participants of the IV Samarkand Forum dedicated to strengthening the protection and promotion of human rights in the context of global climate change, recognizing the obligations of states and the role of civil society, regional and international organizations, convey the recommendations of the IV Samarkand Forum on Human Rights to the Secretary General of the United Nations and other international organizations.