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GCC States Voice Concern Over Gross Impacts of Environmental Challenges on Human Rights

GCC States Voice Concern Over Gross Impacts of Environmental Challenges on Human Rights

Geneva - Media & Communication Dept. – 06 March 2024

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries expressed their grave concern over the gross impacts of the environmental challenges on human rights, including the rights to life, health, food, water, and an adequate standard of living.

They noted the role of environmental deterioration in increasing disparities, inequality and exacerbating some other challenges, such as water scarcity, food insecurity, lack of resources, displacement, immigration, and armed conflicts.

This came in the statement of HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah, delivered on behalf of the GCC states, in her capacity as chairman of the Gulf group during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, within the framework of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.

The GCC countries have taken proactive steps towards the environmental sustainability and climate action, in their recognition of the significance of environment conservation, Her Excellency pointed out, highlighting that initiatives like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), United Arab Emirates Energy Strategy 2050, Qatar National Vision 2030, Kuwait Vision 2035, Oman Vision 2040 and Bahrain National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) all underscore the commitment to combining the sustainable practices and resources conservation in the future visions of those countries.

She called on the GCC countries to pursue far more robust legislation and policies for human rights and environment conservation that primarily consider the planet boundaries, and subsequently compel the companies to operate within those boundaries.

Regarding the indications set forth in the report of the Special Rapporteur on eliminating the use of fossil fuels, the GCC countries emphasized that the Human Rights Council is not the suitable venue to discuss the future of global energy and any suggestion that addresses climate change should be within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Paris Agreement.