Swedwatch gets UN consultative status

Swedwatch recently gained consultative status and accreditation to two influential United Nations’ fora, ECOSOC and UNEA. Swedwatch will use the platforms to amplify the voices of rights holders and to promote increased respect by companies for human rights and the environment.

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the UN’s main platform for debate on and coordination of efforts on economic, social and environmental sustainability. It promotes human rights and works towards achieving internationally agreed development goals. ECOSOC consultative status provides Swedwatch with access to the council and its subsidiary bodies, including the Commission on the Status of Women, the UN Forum on Forests and various UN human rights mechanisms.

“There is an increasing urgency for businesses to take action on climate change and its impacts, and to address shrinking civic space,” said Alice Blondel, Director of Swedwatch.

“This UN access strengthens our ability to amplify the voices of people impacted by business operations and to help ensure the achievement of the SDGs through sustainable practices that respect human rights and the environment”

Accreditation to the UN Environment Assembly, UNEA — part of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) — provides an opportunity to influence the UN’s environmental policy dialogue. UNEP is the main environmental authority in the UN system and aims to strengthen environmental standards and practices and helps countries to implement their international environmental obligations.