In light of the 41st session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council which took place from June 14th to July 12th in Geneva, Switzerland, the Secretariat of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) emphasised the link between human rights and FCTC.
Strengthening the implementation of FCTC through Human Rights
Referring to the United Nations’ right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the FCTC Secretariat shared its perspective on the dialogue between tobacco control and human rights.
At an event organized by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), Mr. Nicolás Guerrero, Senior Legal Officer at the Convention Secretariat pointed out that the Convention Secretariat seeks to strengthen the implementation of FCTC through human rights.
United Nations High-Level Policy Forum on Sustainable Development
Also, from July 9th to 18th, the United Nations (UN) high-level political forum (HLPF) on sustainable development took place in New York, including also a three day ministerial meeting. The HLPF focused on “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality” and aimed at reviewing several of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
- Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
- Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
- Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Thematic Sustainable Development Goals reviews are an essential part of the annual session of the HLPF and offer critical insights into the implementation of the SDGs. The reviews are state-led, involving ministerial and other relevant high-level participants.
In 2019, 47 countries have presented their national reviews to the HLPF. For more details on national reviews, please click here.
The insights of the thematic SDG reviews will also be relevant in the Sustainable Development Goals Summit in New York in late September.