The first session of the Expert Mechanism was scheduled to be held in New York from 30 June to 2 July 2020. However, it could not be held as an in-person meeting owing to the lockdown measures and travel restrictions imposed in the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The first session was therefore held virtually, composed of a series of private meetings, held on 16, 23 and 30 April, 7, 14 and 28 May and 11, 23 and 25 June 2020.

The Expert Mechanism considered the following topics:

• Organizational matters
• The mandate and methods of work
• Coordination between the mechanisms dealing with the right to development
• Thematic studies of the Expert Mechanism
• Engagement with other human rights mechanisms
• Reporting to the General Assembly
• Engagement with Member States and other stakeholders

Documentation

• Provisional agenda

Statements

• Opening remarks by the President of the Human Rights Council
• Opening statement by OHCHR
• Statement by the Chair of the Expert Mechanism