Event information

23 July 2025, 10:00-17:00

Enhancing National Reporting and Implementation of Human Rights through Coordinated Engagement at the Local and Regional Levels: The Role of NMIRFs

Event

Local Government Local Government

23 July 2025, 10:00–12:00 and 15:00–17:00 CEST
Palais des Nations, Room H-207-208-209 – Geneva / Online

Co-organized by the Geneva Human Rights Platform, OHCHR, and the Global Cities Hub, this international seminar explores how national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up (NMIRFs) can better integrate the capacities, data, and experiences of local and regional governments (LRGs) in advancing human rights implementation and reporting.

Despite growing recognition of the crucial role of LRGs in promoting and protecting human rights, persistent gaps remain in their engagement with international human rights mechanisms. This seminar aims to identify good practices, challenges, and entry points for enhancing coordination and participation across all levels of government, with particular focus on federal and devolved systems.

Objectives

  • Foster peer exchanges on experiences and practices in linking NMIRFs with LRGs.
  • Highlight challenges and opportunities in data sharing, coordination, and follow-up.
  • Generate actionable recommendations on improving national-local cooperation for human rights reporting and implementation.

Format and Methodology

The seminar will feature a plenary session followed by three break-out discussions, including one dedicated to federal systems and one open to remote participants. The discussions will span the full cycle of state engagement with human rights mechanisms—reporting, review, follow-up, and implementation.

Expected Outcomes

  • Identification of good practices and persistent challenges in NMIRF–LRG cooperation.
  • Recommendations tailored to different political and administrative contexts.
  • Strengthened understanding of how local engagement improves data quality and implementation ownership.

Registration and Participation

The international seminar will take place on 23 July 2025 in the H building of Palais des Nations, Geneva, room H-207-208-209. It will consist of two hybrid meetings of two hours, from 10am to 12pm and from 3pm to 5pm, Geneva time. Simultaneous interpretation through Zoom will be provided in English and French. Registration is open on the following Indico link: https://indico.un.org/event/1018351/

Background Resources

Location

Palais des Nations, Room H-207-208-209, Geneva

Access

Registration can be found on the Indico system here.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

neurotech image News

Research Brief Evaluates the Human Rights Implications of Neurotechnology in Therapeutic and Commercial Applications

27 March 2025

Our research brief, Neurotechnology and Human Rights: An Audit of Risks, Regulatory Challenges, and Opportunities, examines the human rights implications of neurotechnology in both therapeutic and commercial applications.

Read more

GHRP EU News News

Bridging Geneva and Europe: advancing human rights in the digital age

2 June 2025

The Geneva Human Rights Platform has taken its work on strengthening the international human rights system to the heart of European policymaking.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Madagascar, Miarinarivo district. Women transplanting rice. Project

The Rights of Peasants

Started in May 2008

After having provided academic support to the negotiation of the UN Declaration for ten years, this research project focuses on the implementation of the UN Declaration on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas.

Read more

George Floyd protest in Washington D.C. Project

Promoting and Protecting the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Civic Space Worldwide

Started in June 2020

This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

United Nations Treaty Body Individual Communications Procedures: What Is at Stake in the Strengthening Process?

published on October 2024

Claire Callejon

Read more