A/HRC/RES/49/19
behind, and its implementation contributes to the further promotion and protection of
economic, social and cultural rights and to a reduction in inequalities,
Welcoming international, regional and national development initiatives that contribute
to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the promotion
and protection of economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing
inequalities,
Deeply concerned about the unprecedented threat posed to societies worldwide by the
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and its negative impact on a wide range of human
rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, such as the right of everyone to an
adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing, the rights of
everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health,
water and sanitation, social security, education and work, which has shone a light on the
structural consequences of decades of underfunded or dismantled public services and policies
related to economic and social rights, as well as on systemic discrimination,
Gravely concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically exacerbated existing
inequalities within and among States, with hard-won development gains reversed, global
poverty increased, and those in vulnerable and marginalized situations disproportionately
bearing the brunt from the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,
Deeply concerned about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls
in all contexts, exacerbating existing inequalities, with a risk of reversing the progress that
has been made on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls,
Stressing the urgent need to mitigate and tackle the negative impacts of the COVID19 pandemic on the enjoyment and realization of economic, social and cultural rights,
especially the poor and those in vulnerable and marginalized situations, and to address
exacerbated inequalities,
Recalling the obligations and commitments of States parties to the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to take steps, individually and through
international assistance and cooperation, especially economic and technical, to the maximum
of its available resources, with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of
economic, social and cultural rights without discrimination of any kind, by all appropriate
means,
Emphasizing the crucial importance of strengthening international assistance and
cooperation in support of national efforts of States, in particular developing and leastdeveloped States, including through the provision of technical assistance and capacitybuilding upon their request, with a view to ensuring promotion and protection of economic,
social and cultural rights in all countries and addressing inequalities within and among States
in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,
Recalling that international cooperation for development and for the realization of
economic, social and cultural rights requires the active commitment of all States, particularly
those in a position to assist others in this regard,
Emphasizing the important role and contribution of civil society in promoting and
advocating the realization of economic, social and cultural rights within the context of
addressing inequalities in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,
Recalling that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
is mandated to, inter alia, promote and protect the effective enjoyment by all of all human
rights, including economic, social and cultural rights,
Acknowledging the active contribution of the Office of the High Commissioner, the
Human Rights Council, as well as the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
and relevant mandate holders of the Human Rights Council, in mobilizing international
solidarity and assistance to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights, and to
address inequalities, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,
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