A/HRC/RES/56/12 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 12 July 2024 Original: English Human Rights Council Fifty-sixth session 18 June–12 July 2024 Agenda item 5 Human rights bodies and mechanisms Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 11 July 2024 56/12. The Social Forum The Human Rights Council, Recalling all previous resolutions and decisions adopted on the Social Forum by the Commission on Human Rights and its Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, the Economic and Social Council and the Human Rights Council, Recalling also Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, Reaffirming the unique nature within the United Nations of the Social Forum, which makes possible a dialogue and an exchange between the representatives of States Members of the United Nations and civil society, including grass-roots organizations and intergovernmental organizations, and stressing that the current reform of the United Nations should take into account the contribution of the Forum as a vital space for open and fruitful dialogue on issues linked with the national and international environment needed for the promotion of the enjoyment of all human rights by all, 1. Reaffirms the Social Forum as a unique space for interactive dialogue between the United Nations human rights machinery and various stakeholders, including the contribution of civil society and grass-roots organizations, and stresses the need to ensure greater participation of grass-roots organizations and of persons in situations of vulnerability living in poverty, especially from developing countries, in the sessions of the Forum; 2. Underlines the importance of coordinated efforts at the national, regional and international levels for the promotion of social cohesion based on the principles of social justice, equity and solidarity, and of addressing the social dimension and challenges of the ongoing globalization process and the negative impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID19) pandemic; 3. Stresses the need for the increased and sustained participation of civil society and all other relevant actors in, and their contribution to, the promotion and effective realization of the right to development; 4. Decides that the Social Forum will meet for two working days in 2025, in Geneva, on dates suitable for the participation of representatives of States Members of the United Nations and of the broadest possible range of other relevant stakeholders, especially from developing countries, and also decides that the 2025 Social Forum should be focused on the contribution of education to the respect, promotion, protection and fulfilment of all GE.24-12817 (E)