Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, President of the Union Association for Human Rights (UAHR), delivered an oral statement during the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item 5, which focuses on strengthening international cooperation in the field of human rights. In her statement, she emphasized the importance of supporting and advancing human rights bodies and mechanisms, and underlined the need for international cooperation to enhance responsiveness to future challenges, particularly those associated with digital and environmental transformations. She also commended the UAE’s experience in developing advanced legislation to protect digital and environmental rights, calling for using it as a reference guide globally.

At the beginning of her statement, Dr. Al-Kaabi expressed her deep appreciation for the role of the Human Rights Council and its international bodies and mechanisms in protecting and promoting human rights. She stressed that the success of these bodies depends primarily on the cooperation of countries, their commitment to effective partnership, and collective efforts to address current and future challenges.

The statement noted that while global digital and technological developments present significant opportunities, they have also given rise to new risks and violations, contributing to a decline in international commitment to certain rights. This necessitates:

• A comprehensive review of the international human rights system.
• Developing its mechanisms to keep pace with future challenges.
• Expanding protections to include digital and environmental rights.

Dr. Al-Kaabi voiced her full support for the “Summit of the Future,” which the United Nations will hold at the end of 2024, describing it as a strategic platform for shaping the future of human rights in the world and an opportunity to assess the current reality and work to improve it.

The statement concluded by praising the experiences of a number of countries that have developed their national legislation in response to modern changes, with particular emphasis on the UAE’s experience in protecting digital and environmental rights, as a pioneering model worthy of being emulated.

• Call for renewing and improving the global human rights system: The statement reflects a forward-looking understanding of upcoming risks, particularly in the digital domain, and calls for a comprehensive review that would empower human rights mechanisms to deal effectively with global changes.
• Proactive support for the Summit of the Future: The statement offers strong backing for the Summit of the Future as an opportunity to rebuild the international human rights system, and urges for the integration of modern concepts in this system, such as digital and environmental justice.
• Highlighting the UAE’s commitment and advanced role: The statement presents the UAE as a leading example of proactive and balanced legislation, enhancing its image in international forums as a major contributor to the development of human rights.
• Strengthening International Cooperation: The statement renews the call for multilateral partnerships and emphasizes that the future of human rights depends on global cooperation and solidarity.