The 29th Annual Meeting of Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Chairs of Working Groups will take place in Geneva from 12 to 16 June 2023.

The Annual Meeting offers mandate holders the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest, coordinate their work and meet with a range of stakeholders, including States and civil society organizations.

This years' meeting will focus on strategic and substantive issues as well as on working methods. Attention will be given to the following related topics:

• In terms of strategic and substantive issues, this year’s meeting will take place in the context of 2023 being an important commemoration year celebrating the 75^thanniversary of the UDHR and the 30^th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and programme of Action. Mandate holders will discuss the impact of the SP system and ideas for its future, including their contribution to the Human Rights 75 initiative and the Summit for the Future in 2024. The meeting will also feature exchanges on the SDG Summit and how special procedures can contribute to it. They will also exchange experiences in engaging with the peace and security sector, the Resident Coordinators of the UN, other human rights mechanisms and regional mechanisms.
• In terms of working methods, the mandate holders will discuss the use of social media and good practices in this regard. The discussions will also cover issues such as privileges and immunities, the international standards as the basis for the work of special procedures, the response to attacks against experts and to reprisals against those cooperating with the UN on human rights.
• During the week, they will also meet with key stakeholders, including the High Commissioner and the Directors in his Office, the President of the Human Rights Council, States, and civil society.

Joint Declaration on SDG Summit

During their 29^th Annual Meeting in June 2023, special procedures mandate holders adopted a joint declaration underscoring the critical role of human rights as a tool for transformative changes needed to meet all Sustainable Development Goals. Adopted ahead of the SDG Summit in September 2023, UN experts called on all governments to fully implement the 2030 Agenda by prioritising those furthest behind, including those historically excluded in situations of vulnerability and that international human rights obligations and recommendations should be integrated into national action plans and domestic implementation mechanisms.