First virtual meeting of the open-ended ad hoc working group on human rights defenders in environmental matters

Virtual, October 28, 2022 (12-1:30 p.m. Santiago, Chile)

1. Background:

In Decision I/6 of the First Conference of the Parties (COP1) on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters, it was agreed to establish an open-ended ad hoc working group on human rights defenders in environmental matters , “with the significant participation of the public, especially indigenous peoples and local communities, also seeking the inclusion of persons or groups in situations of vulnerability, and with the assistance of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in its capacity as Secretariat ”.

The main task of this Group is to prepare an action plan on human rights defenders in environmental matters, to be presented at the second ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties (in 2024) for consideration and approval. .

In addition, the Parties agreed to hold an annual forum on human rights defenders in environmental matters with recognized specialists on the subject, and with the assistance of the Secretariat, from which a final report will emerge that will serve as input for the preparation and review of the action plan on the matter.

To operationalize the Working Group, the Board of Directors agreed to designate three coordinating countries: Ecuador, Chile and Saint Kitts and Nevis, who, with the significant participation of elected representatives of the public, will lead the development of the action plan on human rights defenders on environmental issues for approval at COP 2024.

Consequently, the first virtual meeting of the Working Group is convened with the aim of beginning the work for the preparation of the aforementioned plan.

The meeting will have Spanish-English interpretation.

2. Objectives of the meeting:

• Present to the coordinating countries of the Working Group
• Submit the Group’s work schedule
• Hold an initial dialogue on the Group’s work and receive comments from the public
• Inform about the program of the First Forum on Human Rights Defenders in Environmental Matters, which will be held in Quito on November 22 and 23, 2022 and the modalities of participation.