UN High Commissioner opening statement to the 50th Human Rights Council

“Since we last gathered, the war in Ukraine continues to destroy the lives of many, causing havoc and destruction. The horrors inflicted on the civilian population will leave their indelible mark, including on generations to come. Its social, economic and political ramifications ripple across the region and globally, with no end in sight.”

“A global food, fuel and finance crisis now risks plunging millions into food insecurity and poverty. 1.2 billion people live in countries that are severely exposed and vulnerable to all three dimensions of finance, food, and energy, simultaneously.”

“According to the UN Global Crisis and Response Group the combination of higher food and energy prices, growing inflation, export restrictions, and tightening financial conditions will be devastating, in particular on the most vulnerable.”

“We need to invest in addressing the conditions that provoke these crises. I urge us, at precisely this moment of grave and profound threat, to pursue the path we had committed to in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“We gathered in multilateral fora, in high level debates and donor meetings and spoke of global solutions and of putting people at the centre of our efforts. We committed ourselves to learning the lessons of the pandemic, and to recover better.”

The UN High Commissioner highlighted four areas of intervention that she hopes can give some direction in the face of the current crises.

“First, we need to tackle inequality and discrimination. We live in a world of staggering inequality, with one study estimating that global inequalities are about as great today as they were in the early 20th century.”

“The World Bank had projected 198 million more people living in extreme poverty during 2022 due to COVID-19. Global food prices alone are now estimated to add a further 65 million more people to that total. While people across all income groups experienced losses during the pandemic, the poorest 20 percent experienced the steepest decline in incomes. And the poorest 40 percent haven’t started to recover their income losses.”

“And as the climate crisis continues to worsen for us all, it is again the poorest and most vulnerable who are bearing the harshest brunt. People’s capacity to withstand yet another crisis is shrinking even further.”

“Second, national budgets should integrate human rights. If national budgets integrate States’ human rights obligations and are designed and implemented through a human rights-based approach, they can be a powerful lever for SDG progress. If they allocate sufficient resources to cover at least minimum essential levels of economic and social rights, we can deliver better development results.”

“Increasing national spending in social sectors, with a focus on accessibility, affordability, and quality of services and non-discrimination, particularly in the current context, will strengthen countries’ capacity to withstand shocks.”

“In this regard, my office is assisting countries to analyse their budgets, mobilise resources and create more fiscal space through a human rights lens. “

“Third, greater international cooperation and solidarity – including for debt relief - is needed now. Without a significant boost in financial resources, we will not be able to achieve the SDGs. The financing gap to achieve the SDGs has widened by over 70 per cent to an annual amount of $4.3 trillion. This gap requires countries to mobilise public and private resources both domestically and internationally. Yet, spiralling debt and uncertain prospects of economic outlook – which will be further exacerbated in the current context - are holding many developing countries back. In 2022, it is estimated that these countries will require $311 billion to service public external debt, amounting to 13.6 per cent of government revenues.

“Strengthening fiscal systems can certainly help raise additional domestic resources in all countries.”

“And finally – civic space. I wish to conclude on what I think is the most crucial – and valuable – element of building resilience in times of crisis. These are times for greater – not less - transparency and broader space for civic engagement and participation if we are serious about our commitments to build transformative and greener societies. A vibrant civic space is a lever of a stable, secure society. Yet, we continue documenting attacks against defenders and journalists, off-line and online, worldwide.”

“We cannot separate progress on economic goals, such as reducing poverty, from the rights of those who are the intended beneficiaries of those developments – including the right of those people to be heard.”

For more information and media requests, please contact for more information and media requests, please contact: For more information and media requests, please contact for more information and media requests, please contact: Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org or or Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org

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UN High Commissioner opening statement to the 50th Human Rights Council

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