At Human Rights Council, Monaco speaks during dialogue with Special Rapporteur on right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment

S.E. Mme Carole Lanteri ©DR

On Thursday 10 March 2022, the Principality took part in the interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The dialogue was organised as part of the 49^th Human Rights Council being held in Geneva from 28 February to 1 April 2022.

The Rapporteur, Mr David Boyd, presented his latest report, which focused on the importance of promoting a non-toxic environment in order to achieve the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. In his report, Mr Boyd described the chronic poisoning of people and the planet, which is leading to environmental injustice and creating “sacrifice zones”. These are characterised by extreme levels of contamination which hit vulnerable and marginalised groups the hardest. He also highlighted the obligations of states and responsibilities of companies, and suggested best practices that would guarantee a non-toxic environment.

At the dialogue, H.E. Ms Carole Lanteri, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Monaco to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva, spoke to hail the remarkable work of the Rapporteur and reiterate the Principality’s financial support for his mission, which it has been providing since 2019.

This undertaking illustrates Monaco’s commitment to the special mandates introduced by the Human Rights Council, whose reports are a valuable aid to the decision-making of member states. Mr Boyd’s work was decisive in the Human Rights Council’s adoption, in 2021, of a resolution which, for the first time at the international level, enshrined the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.