17 October to October 18, 2017, Expert Seminar on the theme of Best Practices, Lessons Learned and the Way Forward with you to the Human Rights Obligations relating to the Enjoyment of a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment was held in Geneva, Switzerland, which was jointly hosted by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment and the United Nations High Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and OHCHR. Prof. Qin Tianbao, RIEL director,was invited by the two organizations mentioned above to attend the seminar in Geneva.

 

As a representative of the scholars from Asia, Prof. Qin Tianbao stressed in the consultations, in considering environment related human rights, it is important to pay special attention to sustainable development goals confirmed by the United Nations and been fulfilling by countries. He pointed out that the sustainable development goals and human rights goals are mutually reinforcing but not antagonistic ones. The international legal document on human rights provides a legally binding framework and guidance for the implementation of the 2030 agenda. In turn, sustainable development goals greatly contribute to the realization of human rights. It is therefore important to support countries' efforts in sustainable development. Prof. Qin Tianbao also warned that soil pollution could have an impact on human rights and the importance of traditional knowledge of local communities in developing countries to human rights. His views were closely watched and appreciated by the human rights and environment commissioner and other participants.