Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Seventieth session
Summary record (partial)* of the 28th meeting
Held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, on Monday, 27 September 2021, at 10 a.m.
Temporary Chair: Mr. Walker (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights)Chair: Mr. Abdel-Moneim
Contents
Opening of the session
Election of the Chair and other officers of the Committee
Adoption of the agenda
The meeting was called to order at 10.20 a.m.
Opening of the session
1.The Temporary Chair declared open the seventieth session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
2.Mr. Cissé-Gouro (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights) said he was delighted that the Committee was able to hold its seventieth session in person. He wished to acknowledge the dedication the members had demonstrated in adapting their working methods to respond to the challenges that had arisen and the restrictions that had been imposed in the course of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
3.The Committee’s work and mandate were of particular importance to the international community, as evidenced by the large number of responses that had been received concerning the draft general comment on land and economic, social and cultural rights. In her opening address to the forty-eighth session of the Human Rights Council, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had raised issues that were central to the Committee’s work, including climate change and environmental degradation, and had highlighted the important role played by the treaty bodies in tackling those issues from a human rights perspective. The Committee’s work would undoubtedly provide momentum for the call to action to address environmental issues using a human rights-based approach.
4.The thirty-third annual meeting of the Chairs of the human rights treaty bodies had taken place from 7 to 11 June 2021. Following the release of the report of the co-facilitators of the 2020 treaty body review, the Chairs had discussed the development of a predictable calendar of review cycles that would maximize synergies and complementarity among treaty bodies and ensure full reporting compliance; the ongoing harmonization of working methods; and the digital transition, including the use of new technological developments to increase the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of the treaty body system. Comprehensive proposals on those topics would be considered by all the treaty bodies before the end of 2021. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights would continue to support the treaty bodies in their critical work.
Election of the Chair and other officers of the Committee
5.The Temporary Chair expressed appreciation for the work of the outgoing Bureau and invited the Committee to elect a new Bureau from among its members.
6.Mr. Caunhye, on behalf of the members from African States, nominated Mr. Abdel-Moneim for the office of Chair.
7. Mr. Abdel-Moneim was elected Chair by acclamation.
8.Mr. Abdel-Moneim took the Chair.
9.The Chair invited nominations for the offices of Vice-Chair.
10.Mr. Zerbini Ribeiro Leão nominated Mr. Uprimny.
11.Ms. Crăciunean-Tatu nominated Mr. Abashidze.
12.Ms. Saran nominated Ms. Shin.
13.Mr. Mancisidor de la Fuente nominated Mr. Windfuhr.
14.Mr. Abashidze, Ms. Shin , Mr. Uprimny and Mr. Windfuhr were elected Vice-Chairs by acclamation.
15.The Chair said that a decision would be taken subsequently regarding the designation of a Rapporteur.
Adoption of the agenda
16.The agenda was adopted.
The discussion covered in the summary record ended at 10.55 a.m.