Draft

We, the participants of the “Fourth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights: “Environmental Challenges: Ensuring Sustainable Solutions for the Future of Human Rights in a Changing World”, including representatives from government authorities, academia, civil society, and international organizations, convened in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on June 13-14, 2024:

Expressing gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, for his initiative to convene this Forum announced at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly;

Realizing the importance of global environmental issues and the need for joint efforts to address them, acknowledging the UN General Assembly Resolutions adopted on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “Declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of ecological innovations and technologies” and "Central Asia Facing Environmental Challenges: Fostering Regional Solidarity for Sustainable Development and Prosperity".

Recalling that climate change poses one of the most significant threats to sustainable development, peace and security, and to the full enjoyment of human rights, including the rights to health, access to water and food, and the right to a safe, clean, healthy life and sustainable environment;

Reaffirming the urgency and scale of the challenges facing the global community in the field of human rights in the context of global climate change and reaffirming the need for global, united and urgent action to counter these challenges and minimize their impact on the lives and well-being of all peoples of the world;

Emphasizing that states have the primary responsibility to protect the human rights of their citizens from the negative impacts of climate change, including obligations not only to mitigate climate change but also to adapt, ensuring that adaptation measures do not violate human rights and contribute to their promotion;

In the spirit of Article 2 of the Paris Agreement, which calls for the inclusion of human rights in the context of climate initiatives, international cooperation and solidarity, there is a particular focus on the need to support developing countries through technology transfer, financial support and capacity building to ensure their ability to protect human rights in conditions of a changing climate;

Whereas humanity faces increased and unique risks from climate change, with impacts already occurring, and the heaviest burden falling on the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups;

Reiterating particular concern about the impact of climate change on marginalized groups whose traditional ways of life and livelihoods are under threat, reaffirming the need to recognize and protect the rights of this groups in accordance with universally recognized international human rights instruments;

Noting the need to create and strengthen financing mechanisms to support countries and communities facing the greatest challenges in the areas of climate change and human rights, including international financial support and the development of innovative financial instruments that promote sustainable development and protect human rights;

Emphasizing the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as fundamental international instruments for mobilizing the global community to respond to the challenges posed by climate change and to ensure the protection of human rights in this context;

Recalling the commitment of States in the Paris Agreement to respect, promote and take into account their respective human rights obligations when taking action to combat climate change;

Recalling also Human Rights Council resolutions 37/8, 35/20 and 40/11, which address human rights, including the rights of young people, taking into account environmental harm and climate change and that a safe climate is a vital element of the right to a safe, a clean, healthy and sustainable environment essential to human life and well-being;

Recognizing that the greening of the world's constitutions is not only a matter of environmental conservation, but also the foundation for sustainable development, social justice and the guarantee of fundamental human rights and freedoms;

Emphasizing that the constitutionalization of ecology should become a mandatory element in the development strategy of each state, reflecting the urgent need for a global and solidarity response to environmental challenges, including the obligations of states to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations, ensuring that environmental well-being and human rights were interconnected and inseparable in any political and legal system;

Inspired by the progress and challenges of our time, as well as the need to integrate environmental rights into the basis of constitutional development and standards at the international and national levels;

We, the participants of the Fourth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights, dedicated to strengthening the protection and promotion of human rights in the context of global climate change, gathered in the historical city of Samarkand, and united by the common goal of creating a fair, sustainable and inclusive future for all peoples of the world, hereby declare the following recommendations and suggestions:

Key recommendations:

1. Advocate for global recognition and implementation of the inalienable human right to a healthy environment, and take action to enshrine this right, where appropriate, in national, regional and global frameworks and/or national policies and legislation;
2. Intensify efforts to create and implement international and national guidelines to ensure that all measures to combat climate change and adapt to its impacts respect human rights, particularly those of the most vulnerable groups;
3. Expand and deepen international cooperation on research and data exchange concerning the impact of climate change on human rights, to develop effective global and regional adaptation strategies. This includes supporting research, sharing knowledge and best practices, and developing innovative solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change;
4. Implement integrated national policies and action plans to combat climate change, taking into account the protection of human rights, especially focusing on vulnerable groups, which implies the development of comprehensive approaches that simultaneously address climate challenges and promote human rights, including access to clean water, food, health and a safe environment;
5. Develop educational programs and information campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness of the connection between climate change and human rights, to promote environmental responsibility and enhance civic participation, including information on ways everyone can individually and collectively contribute to protecting the environment and promoting compliance human rights, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable groups;
6. Create and strengthen mechanisms to ensure access to justice for victims of human rights violations related to climate change, including specialized mechanisms and support programs in particular, providing not only legal assistance, but also the development of procedures to effectively consider and resolve claims related to with environmental and climatic disturbances;
7. Increase funding to support research and projects to understand the impact of climate change on human rights and to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies, especially in the most vulnerable regions;
8. Ensure that climate action is designed and implemented in a way that reduces inequalities and strengthens human rights, especially for vulnerable groups;
9. Develop and implement mechanisms that ensure the active participation of marginalized groups in climate-related decision-making by creating platforms for dialogue, allowing them to express their views and suggestions, and ensuring these views are considered in the design and implementation of climate policies;
10. 10. Implement approaches that integrate the human rights protection with sustainable development goals, with a particular emphasis on access to clean water, food, health and a safe environment, requiring cross-sectoral cooperation and coordination between different levels of government and public organizations;
11. Encourage the development and application of clean technologies, as well as sustainable agricultural and production practices that take into account the rights and well-being of all population groups, with a focus on supporting innovation and providing incentives for businesses and individuals to move towards cleaner and energy efficient technologies, as well as implementing resource management practices that reduce the environmental impact;
12. Expand the meaningful participation of children and youth in climate-related processes, including through the "Empowering Climate Action" dialogue, participation in the Youth Delegate Program of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and exploring opportunities to support the priorities of the Youth Climate Movement (YOUNGO).
13. Implement accountability mechanisms ensuring that states and other stakeholders fulfill their obligations to protect human rights while implementing the Paris Agreement;
14. Promote international cooperation and solidarity in combating climate change to ensure global efforts respect and protect human rights and contribute to reducing inequalities.

As we move forward with proposals and initiatives, we highlight the following priority areas of action that will contribute to the realization of our shared mission and vision for a sustainable future,

1. Establish an international working group on climate change and human rights to coordinate efforts, exchange best practices, and monitor progress in implementing international obligations;
2. Develop and adopt an international legal instrument specifically dedicated to protecting human rights in the context of climate change, providing legally binding standards for countries;
3. Incorporate the principle of “do no harm” into all climate-related policies and programs to prevent potential negative impacts on human rights.
4. Encourage the private sector to implement sustainable practices and standards of corporate responsibility aimed at reducing climate impact and improving human rights protection;
5. Develop international standards to assess the impact of climate change on human rights, which includes the creation of progressive methodologies and tools that can adequately reflect the complex impact of climate change on people’s lives, their health, living conditions and access to basic resources, such like clean water and food;
6. Incorporate comprehensive human rights impact assessments into all climate projects and programs, based on principles of transparency, inclusiveness and equity, ensuring that climate action not only reduces carbon emissions and improves environmental sustainability, but also actively protects and promoted human rights;
7. Organize information campaigns and develop strategically planned communication initiatives to inform the public about the importance of addressing global challenges like climate change, protecting human rights, and ensuring sustainable development.
8. Stimulate the transition to a green economy, through the adoption of comprehensive measures and increased investment flows into sectors that contribute to sustainable development, including financing projects in the field of renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency and introducing sustainable technologies aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels, minimizing harmful emissions in atmosphere and promotion of environmentally friendly production;
9. Develop support programs for small and medium-sized businesses aimed at introducing environmentally sustainable practices and creating “green” jobs;
10. Introduce strict liability measures for companies and organizations whose actions harm the climate and environment;
11. Establish a specialized international judicial body to hear cases related to violations of climate obligations by countries and corporations that significantly impact the climate and human rights;
12. Develop and implement a global CO2 emissions tax mechanism for companies and countries, with proceeds used to fund climate adaptation and human rights protection projects in the most vulnerable regions;
13. Invest in creating of smart cities and settlements equipped with technologies to minimize environmental impact, ensure climate change resilience and improve the quality of life of the population
14. Develop international educational programs aimed at raising awareness of climate change, its impact on human rights and ways of acting at the individual and collective levels;
15. Implement an international digital labeling system for goods and services, allowing consumers to see the carbon footprint of products, encouraging manufacturers to reduce emissions and consumers to make more sustainable choices;
16. Create a global program to support people displaced by climate change, including new housing, educational and employment opportunities in host communities.
17. In light of existing international agreements, including the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which emphasize the need for global initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect human rights, it is proposed to initiate consolidated efforts to promote the adoption of the resolution “Central Asia Facing Environmental Challenges: Fostering Regional Solidarity for Sustainable Development and Prosperity".

We, the participants of the IV Samarkand Forum dedicated to strengthening the protection and promotion of human rights in the context of global climate change, recognizing the obligations of states and the role of civil society, regional and international organizations, convey the recommendations of the
IV Samarkand Forum on Human Rights to the Secretary General of the United Nations and other international organizations.

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