HRC58 - Iceland statement - Adoption of A/HRC/58/L.26: Right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment
Human Rights Council – 58th session
General Comment on draft resolution L.26
The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment: Ocean and Human Rights
Statement by Iceland
3 April 2025
Mr. President,
The negative effects of environmental and climate change on the enjoyment of human rights across the globe are increasingly evident. Iceland is steadfast in its support for collective and concrete actions in response to these negative effects on the enjoyment of human rights worldwide.
As a member of the Human Rights Council, one of Iceland’s priorities is addressing the linkages between human rights and the environment.
Iceland welcomes the focus of this resolution on the ocean and human rights as the ocean is a topic that deserves our increased attention and is fundamental to our wellbeing
Mr. President,
We appreciate the effort of the core group to respond to the comments of my delegation and others to the zero draft, and in particular to the centrality of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to our work on the ocean. Iceland reads the relevant provisions of the resolution, including the duties and rights of states when it comes to the ocean, in the context of UNCLOS.
We underline that only when we balance conservation and sustainable use, as outlined in SDG14, can we protect our oceans for sustainable development. We will also approach the resolution in this light and call on others to do the same. As such, we have joined as co-sponsors to the text.
Finally, Mr. President,
We highlight the essential work of FAO and DOALOS when it comes to the ocean and the importance of the UN system delivering for the ocean and human rights.
Iceland supports this resolution and encourages the council to adopt it by consensus.
I thank you.