Skip to main content
Days of general discussion DGD

General discussion on a draft general comment on article 15 of the ICESCR: on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress

Date

09 October 2018

AT

Palais des Nations, room XVI

LOCATION

Geneva

In Geneva, on 9 October 2018, at its 64th session, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights held a day of general discussion on article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications and on other provisions of article 15 on the relationship between science and economic, social and cultural rights.

Article 15

  1. The States parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone (b) to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications.
  2. The steps to be taken by the States parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for the conservation, the development and the diffusion of science […].
  3. The States parties to the present Covenant undertake to respect the freedom indispensable for scientific research […].
  4. The States parties to the present Covenant recognize the benefits to be derived from the encouragement and development of international contacts and cooperation in the scientific […] field.
Objective of the general discussion

The discussion day was part of a consultative process in the context of the drafting of a general comment on the article. While the Committee has had a number of informal consultations with interested parties on this project, the discussion day provided an opportunity to receive inputs from a wider range of stakeholders. The future general comment aims to provide authoritative guidance to States parties on the measures to be adopted to ensure full compliance with the right.

Documentation
Inputs received