The Ombudsman participated in the panel discussion on climate change and human rights within the COP29

The Commissioner, Sabina Aliyeva, participated in the opening ceremony of the panel discussion on climate change and human rights organized by the Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar within the COP29. 

In her speech at the event, which brought together representatives of the Qatar Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Center of Humanities and Social Studies as well as experts in the field, the Ombudsman said that this event coincided with the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, adding that the protection of child rights is one of the core directions of her activities. 

Sabina Aliyeva said that the mandate of the Ombudsman in the field of child rights protection was expanded with the last amendments to the Constitutional Law, and according to those changes, monitoring groups were created in the institution. Furthermore, as every year, this year as well, the Ombudsman Office held awareness-raising activities during the child rights month-long campaign, announced to run between 20 October and 20 November. 

At the end, the Ombudsman said that the vulnerable groups of population face with climate change adverse effects and that natural disasters cause new risks for the violation of human rights. 

Sabina Aliyeva pointed out the important role of ombudspersons and NHRIs in protection of the right to a healthy environment and the rights of vulnerable groups.

The Ombudsman emphasized the importance of joint global discussions about climate policies and human rights, which will lead to a thorough study of various aspects of intersections of human rights and climate change and strengthen the unity in this field. 

Sabina Aliyeva called everyone to assess the climate change effects from the perspectives of social justice, equality and protection of human rights, and strengthen the united and sustainable cooperation for taking urgent measures at the national and international levels. 

The Ombudsman also spoke about the activities carried out by the institution during COP29, organizing the International Baku Forum on "Climate change and human rights: the role of ombudsmen and NHRIs", and the interactive discussion on "Climate justice based on human rights: the role of NHRIs". She also brought to the attention of the participants that the impact of climate change on human rights, existing problems and their solutions were discussed in those events.