HRC52 - NB8 statement - Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing

Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing

Nordic-Baltic Statement delivered by Finland

8 March 2023

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries. We thank the Special Rapporteur on his important report.

The climate crisis is also a housing crisis. Extreme weather events, desertification and rising sea levels severely affect housing around the world.

Impacts of climate change disproportionately affect persons in vulnerable situations and their homes. Persons with disabilities and older persons have less capacity to move away from exposed areas. Indigenous Peoples often live on lands heavily exposed to climate impacts. 

Therefore, we must ensure that persons in vulnerable situations are involved in climate responses at all levels. This includes participation in decision-making, implementation and monitoring of climate actions and policies.

It is our joint duty to tackle the effects of climate change on the realization of the right to adequate housing. Comprehensive recommendations of the Special Rapporteur give us a way forward.

Special Rapporteur, how can we best support the work of human rights defenders promoting the right to adequate housing and addressing the negative impact of climate change?

Thank you.