“Human Rights and Climate Change” was the timely theme of the 21st Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights (ASEMHRS21), which took place 16-18 March 2022 in Luxembourg and online. The Seminar aimed to contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between human rights and climate change, as well as to develop recommendations and facilitate cooperation and peer-learning through the exchange of good practices, innovative ideas, and knowledge in the integration of human rights in climate change-related action.

The three-day hybrid event, which was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, brought together over 150 experts, academics, and government officials and representatives of civil society and national human rights institutes from 48 ASEM Partner countries.

The Seminar was addressed by a number of speakers who reflected on the importance of strengthening human rights integration in climate change policies and actions, as well as enhancing human rights mechanisms for addressing environmental issues. The event was honoured to have the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Michelle BACHELET and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Dr David R. BOYD deliver the keynote addresses; with closing reflections from the European Union’s Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr Eamon GILMORE, among other experts. The Seminar was also privileged to have Mr Jean ASSELBORN, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Ms Carole DIESCHBOURG, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development of Luxembourg to deliver the opening and closing addresses respectively.

The Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights series was launched in 1997 to deepen relations between civil society actors and governments in Asia and Europe on major human rights issues.

This Seminar series is organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (nominated by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

ASEF’s contribution is with the support of the European Union.

The 21st Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Last update: 30 September 2022