2024 Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform - Human rights System Under Pressure: A Reason to Expand Connectivity

The human rights system is currently facing unprecedented pressure. A financial crisis threatens the functionality of UN human rights bodies, with significant implications for the work carried out by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Additionally, the deteriorating global situation is creating or intensifying human rights crises, while political support for human rights continues to wane, leading to a growing perception that the UN Human Rights System is failing to deliver on its promises in specific country contexts. The Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) Annual Conference, dedicated to the concept of connectivity in the field of human rights therefore focused this year in their 6th edition on the pressing issues and challenges confronting Geneva-based actors in the field of human rights. To this end, panels were co-organized with specific organizations such as the FES Geneva Office amongst others, on the human rights aspects in various policy areas, e.g. on Human Rights and Sustainable Development. This public event aimed at the international community both within and beyond Geneva—including diplomats, experts, NGOs, UN agency staff, international organizations, National Human Rights Institutions, and academics

Programme
9.15 - 9:30 Opening
9:30 - 10:00 Keynote
10:00 - 11:00 Academic plenary panel
11:00 - 12.30 Workshops (incl. coffee break) with other ‘Geneva Platforms’

1. Human Rights in the Age of Digital Innovation: Regulating AI and technology in Smart Cities
2. Human Rights in Global Health policies
3. Human Rights in Preventing Environmental Triggers to Conflict
4. Human Rights and Sustainable Development: Advancing Monitoring and Collaboration Through Digital Tools

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch
13:30 - 15:00 High-level inter-agency panel on human rights