A/HRC/RES/53/20
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
18 July 2023
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Fifty-third session
19 June–14 July 2023
Agenda item 5
Human rights bodies and mechanisms
Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council
on 13 July 2023
53/20.
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 Subcommission 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 Member States
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 situation 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 and contribution
of civil society and all other relevant actors to the promotion and effective realization of the
right to development;
4.
Decides that the Social Forum will meet for two working days in 2024, 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, at its next meeting, the Forum should focus
on the contribution of financing for development to the advancement of all human rights for
all;
GE.23-14026(E)