Within its membership in the UN HRC Kazakhstan initiated a discussion on the impact of climate change on human rights

Geneva, March 7, 2023 - Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the delegations of Central Asian and EU countries along with Turkiye organized a panel discussion "The impact of climate change on the rights of persons in vulnerable situations" on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The speakers were Mr. D. Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on Human rights and the environment, Ms. R.M. Popa, an expert on gender issues and law of the IDLO, as well as Mr. A. Blom, Chairman of the FSC Indigenous Foundation and co-founder of the Protect Sapmi Foundation. Meeting was moderated by Ms. Soo-Young Hwang, UNEP.

The event brought together more than 70 participants from UN Member States, representatives of international non-governmental organizations and became a platform for discussing the measures necessary for states to take to protect the human rights of the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, people with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and ethnic minorities, in the face of this crucial issue.

In his statement, Mr. Yerlan Alimbayev, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan, noted the main risks for the Central Asian region in the light of global climate change. He also informed participants of the discussion about the Kazakhstan Government’s work on the gradual transition to a "green economy" with plans focused on the careful use of water resources, sustainable development and the introduction of renewable technologies. He noted the current project of the country "Zhasyl Kazakhstan", which will contribute to the further inclusion of Sustainable Development Goals in state plans to promote "green" economic growth.

Experts from the UN and non-governmental organizations called on states to be guided primarily by their human rights obligations when addressing the negative impact of climate change with a focus on the situation of the most vulnerable persons.