Resolution 2565 (2024)1Provisional version

Safeguarding human rights for future generationsParliamentary Assembly

1. The Parliamentary Assembly emphasises that a sustainable world not only means meeting the needsof the present generation: it must also guarantee that future generations can likewise meet their needs. This isnothing less than respecting intergenerational equity and is all the more an absolute imperative in the face ofthe climate change challenge of today.

2. Protecting the planet for future generations also means repairing the environmental damage alreadycaused.

3. The Assembly stresses moreover that while the climate crisis has rightly been identified as the biggestexistential emergency facing humankind, we must not overlook other significant risks to the rights of futuregenerations, such as growing socio-economic inequalities, public health emergencies, wars and conflicts, andrapid technological advances.

4. Recalling its previous work on artificial intelligence, as set out in Opinion 303 (2024), the Assemblynotes that the unprecedented pace of technological progress will likely become one of the key factorsimpacting the lives of future generations. To this end, it welcomes the adoption of the Council of EuropeFramework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. TheAssembly reiterates its readiness to contribute to the preparation of additional binding and non-bindinginstruments that will ensure that technological advancement is accompanied by respect for human rights,democracy and the rule of law.

5. The Assembly notes that numerous constitutional texts now contain references to future generationsand that the notions of future generations and intergenerational equity are ever more frequently used beforenational and international courts in environmental litigation.

6. The Assembly welcomes the fact that the Final Declaration of the Reykjavik Summit has recognised thescale of the task ahead and that the Heads of State and Government of Council of Europe member Statescommitted therein to meeting the current and future challenges, raising up to the expectations of futuregenerations and making the environment and the intergenerational solidarity a visible priority for theOrganisation.

7. The Assembly notes with grave concern that human activity is threatening the extinction of one millionspecies of plants and animals, leading to an irreversible loss of biodiversity and collapse of the ecosystem. Tothis end, the Assembly welcomes the adoption by the Standing Committee of the Council of Europe’sConvention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (ETS No. 104, “Bern Convention”)of its Strategic Plan for the period to 2030, which sets out goals for halting the declines in biodiversity,recovering wildlife and habitats, improving the lives of people and contributing to the health of the planet. TheAssembly recalls that States are under a continuous international legal obligation to prevent activities on theirterritory causing significant harm or damage to the environment of another State or areas beyond nationalcontrol.

1. Assembly debate on 28 June 2024 (23rd sitting) (see Doc. 15999, report of the Committee on Social Affairs, Healthand Sustainable Development, rapporteur: Mr Pedro Cegonho; and Doc. 16016, opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairsand Human Rights, rapporteur: Ms Gala Veldhoen). Text adopted by the Assembly on 28 June 2024 (23rd sitting).

18 DE DEZEMBRO DE 2024_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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