UN expert on the right to healthy environment to visit the Maldives

GENEVA (15 April 2024) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, David Boyd, will conduct a country visit to the Maldives from 16 to 25 April 2024.

During his 10-day visit, Boyd will assess the impact of the climate crisis on this small island state. He will also examine other environmental issues such as biodiversity, pollution, access to water and sustainable development planning. He aims to identify best practices and challenges related to the country’s human rights obligations.

The Special Rapporteur is particularly interested in the national implementation of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and the visit will provide an opportunity to assess how this right is translated into action at the local level.

During his visit, the expert will meet Government officials, representatives of civil society and environmental activists.

Boyd will hold a press conference on 25 April 2024 at 10:00 am local time at the Solite Restaurant, H. Suez, Ameeru Ahmed Magu, Malé. Access will be strictly limited to accredited journalists.

A comprehensive report on the visit will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2025.

David R. Boyd (Canada) was appointed Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment on 1 August 2018. He is an associate professor of law, policy, and sustainability at the University of British Colombia. @SREnvironment

Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organisation. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.