13/11/2018

The UPR and the SDGs: Towards Joint Implementation and Follow-up

UPR Info in partnership with the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) will hold the side event “The UPR and the SDGs: Towards Implementation and Follow-Up” on Friday 15 November 2018 from 10:00 – 12.00 in Room XXIV of the Palais des Nations.

Throughout its past two cycles, the UPR has proven its value as a key mechanism of the international human rights monitoring system. The peer review mechanism has generated significant attention and engagement among Member States as well as civil society and the UN system. With the 3rd cycle of the UPR under way, the focus is now set on further improving the structured follow-up to recommendations.

The 2030 Agenda, adopted in 2015 affirms that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “seek to realise human rights of all” and pledges to “leave no one behind”. Likewise, the Human Rights Council has acknowledged that the promotion and protection of human rights and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda are interrelated and mutually reinforcing. Concretely, more than 90% of the SDG targets are linked to provisions of international human rights instruments.

Hence, there is a unique opportunity to build national SDG strategies and plans on human rights norms and use UPR recommendations to guide SDG implementation. Likewise, a human rights-based approach to the SDGs can serve as an implementation mechanism for UPR recommendations. Such an integrated approach to human rights and sustainable development has enormous potential for strengthening coherence, efficiency and accountability in follow-up to international obligations and commitments. To turn this vision into a reality requires not only political commitment, but also the right structures and technical tools to support states in this effort.

An important step towards structured approach to implementation is the establishment of national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up (NMRFs). NMRFs are mechanisms or structures that are mandated to coordinate and prepare reports to international and regional human rights mechanisms, and to track and coordinate national follow-up and implementation of recommendations coming from these mechanisms. If linked to the SDGs, these mechanisms can play a crucial role in alleviating the reporting burden of states, and ensuring joint implementation of SDG commitments and human rights obligations.

This event will discuss how follow-up to UPR recommendations can be further strengthened and integrated with national SDG implementation plans and processes. Moreover, it will offer an opportunity to reflect on the potential of the UPR to inform policymaking in the area of sustainable development, and for the SDGs to serve as a source of inspiration for strengthening the continued relevance of the UPR in the context of sustainable development.

Panellists:
Eva Grambye, Deputy Director, Danish Institute for Human Rights
H.E. Juan Eduardo Eguiguren, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations
Christophe Golay, Senior Research Fellow and Strategic Adviser on ESC Rights, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Gianni Magazzeni, Chief of UPR Branch, OHCHR
Mona M'Bikay, Executive Director of UPR Info

A valid UN badge is necessary to enter the UNOG. Persons not accredited will have to register here. For further information contact: stakeholders@upr-info.org