Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development

Purpose of the Expert Mechanism

The Expert Mechanism provides the Human Rights Council with thematic expertise on the right to development in searching for, identifying and sharing best practices with Member States and promotes the implementation of the right to development worldwide.

Mandate

The Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development (EMRTD) was established by the Human Rights Council in 2019 under resolution 42/23 as a subsidiary body of the Council. In carrying out its mandate, the Expert Mechanism holds annual meetings (see below), undertakes thematic studies and study visits holds interactive discussions and consultations, participates in outreach and communications initiatives and reports to the General Assembly and Human Rights Council.

Membership

The Expert Mechanism is composed of five independent experts on the right to development. The experts are selected by the Human Rights Council in accordance with the procedure established in paragraphs 39 to 53 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 for a three-year period, and may be re-elected for one additional period. Read more about the members of the Expert Mechanism.

Annual Sessions of the Expert Mechanism

The Expert Mechanism holds two annual sessions for three days each, in Geneva and New York. It submits an annual report to the Human Rights Council on its work and engages in an interactive dialogue with the Council. The annual meetings of the expert mechanism are open to the participation, as observers, of States, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, academics and experts on development issues, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.