JST on human rights, climate action, and environmental protection

Human rights, climate action, and environmental protection are deeply interconnected. Addressing these challenges requires a human rights-based, gender-responsive, and intersectional approach. We recall Human Rights Council’s resolution 48/13 and General Assembly Resolution 76/300, which recognize the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, essential for the enjoyment of other human rights such as life, health, food, water and housing.

In this effort, environmental and Indigenous human rights defenders are crucial to climate action and a just transition toward a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. We call on all States to ensure their safety, dignity, and ability to work freely, in line with human rights obligations. [It is equally important to ensure the meaningful participation of communities, especially women, youth, and people in vulnerable situations, whose experience and engagement are vital for sustainable, rights-based solutions.]

We are also pleased to draw attention to World Cleanup Day – now recognized as an official UN International Day, proclaimed in 2023.

We call on all States, UN bodies, organizations, and other stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector and academia, to observe World Cleanup Day on September 20th. Launched in Estonia in 2008, when nearly 50,000 people – almost 4% of the population – came together to clean the country in one day, this citizen-led initiative has now grown into a global movement uniting millions of people across nearly 200 countries and territories.

World Cleanup Day is more than just about removing waste – it is a symbol of solidarity, reminding us that environmental challenges cross borders, and that solutions require both local action and global cooperation.

Thank you.