New challenges to realizing the right to development to be tackled by experts, Member States and civil society at Geneva session

GENEVA – Challenges to realizing the right to development in the new international context are set to be tackled by the United Nations’ Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development at its 12th session from 27 to 29 October 2025 in Room XVI, Palais des Nations, Geneva at meetings that will be webcast live.

At this session, the Expert Mechanism will hold a general debate with Member States and other stakeholders. It will also hold a brief coordination meeting with counterpart UN mechanisms on the right to development and discuss the draft thematic study on Climate finance: vulnerability and responsibility.

In addition, the Expert Mechanism will hold five focused thematic dialogues on:

• How to commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development: reflections and proposals (Monday 27 October, 16:30 – 18:00)
• Public participation: a tool for development (Tuesday 28 October, 10:00 – 11:30)
• Impacts of trade tariffs on the realization of the right to development (Tuesday 28 October, 11:30 – 13:00)
• The impact of AI on creative industries, cultural rights, and the right to development (Tuesday 28 October, 15:00 – 16:30)
• The role of civil society organizations in realizing the right to development at the grassroots level (Wednesday 29 October, 10:00 – 12:00)