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OHCHR 
Days of general discussion
The Committee regularly devotes one day of its session to a general discussion of a particular right or of a particular aspect of the Covenant. The purpose is threefold: this general discussion helps the Committee develop deeper understanding of the relevant issues; it enables the Committee to encourage inputs into its work from all interested parties; and helps the Committee to lay the basis for a future general comment.
Past discussions have focused on the issues below:
| Year | Session | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 73rd | General Comment on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Sustainable Development |
| 2019 | 66th | Land and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Right |
| 2018 | 64th | The right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications and other provisions of article 15 on the relationship between science and economic, social and cultural rights |
| 2017 | State obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Context of Business Activities | |
| 2015 | 56th | The right to just and favourable conditions of work |
| 2010 | 45th | The right to sexual and reproductive health (arts. 10 & 12) E/C.12/2010/SR.49 E/C.12/2010/SR.50 Program General comment No. 22 (2016) - E/C.12/GC/22 |
| 2008 | 41st | Non-discrimination and economic, social and cultural rights (art. 2, §2) E/C.12/2008/SR.48 Program |
| 2008 | 40th | The right to take part in cultural life (art. 15, §1(a) E/C.12/2008/SR.17 E/C.12/2008/SR.18 Program |
| 2005 | 35th | The right to social security (art. 9) E/C.12/2006/SR.21 E/C.12/2006/SR.22 Excerpt from the report |
| 2003 | 31st | The right to work (art. 6) E/C.12/2003/SR.50 E/C.12/2003/SR.51 Excerpt from the report |
| 2002 | 28th | Equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights (art. 3) E/C.12/2002/SR.19 E/C.12/2002/SR.20 Excerpt from the report |
| 2001 | 25th | International consultation on economic, social and cultural rights in development activities of international institutions, organized in cooperation with the High Council for International Cooperation (France) E/C.12/2001/SR.22 Excerpt from the report |
| 2000 | 24th | The right of everyone to benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author (art. 15 §1 (c)) E/C.12/2000/SR.76 E/C.12/2000/SR.77 Excerpt from the report |
| 1998 | 19th | The right to education (arts. 13 & 14) E/C.12/1998/SR.49 E/C.12/1998/SR.50 Excerpt from the report |
| 1998 | 18th | Globalization and its impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights E/C.12/1998/SR.20 E/C.12/1998/SR.21 Excerpt from the report |
| 1997 | 17th | The normative content of the right to food E/C.12/1997/SR.46 E/C.12/1997/SR.47 Excerpt from the report |
| 1995-6 | A draft optional protocol to the Covenant E/C.12/1995/SR.50 E/C.12/1996/SR.19 E/C.12/1996/SR.20 E/C.12/1996/SR.47 E/C.12/1996/SR.48 E/C.12/1995/SR.50 Excerpt from the report |
|
| 1995 | 12th | The interpretation and practical application of the obligations incumbent on States parties E/C.12/1995/SR.21 E/C.12/1995/SR.22 Excerpt from the report |
| 1994 | 11th | Human rights education and public information activities E/C.12/1994/SR.48 E/C.12/1994/SR.49 Excerpt from the report |
| 1994 | 10th | The role of social safety nets Excerpt from the report |
| 1993 | 9th | The right to health (art. 12) E/C.12/1993/SR.41 E/C.12/1993/SR.42 |
| 1993 | 8th | The right of the ageing and elderly E/C.12/1993/SR.12 |
| 1992 | 7th | The right to take part in cultural life (art. 15 1 (a)) E/C.12/1992/SR.17 E/C.12/1992/SR.18 Excerpt from the report |
| 1991 | 6th | Economic and social indicators |
| 1990 | 4th | The right to housing |
| 1989 | 3rd | The right to food |