The year 2000 marked the creation of the mandate of the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity. Twenty-six years on, the challenges underpinning the creation of the mandate remain just as pressing. The world is witnessing a dangerous retreat from international solidarity, with governments significantly reducing funds that sustain human rights and withdrawing from multilateral cooperation.
This is a critical time for the entire international community to commit to international solidarity as the foundation of a new form of multilateralism and as a power tool for addressing the structural causes of global challenges, from armed conflict to human rights crises to growing inequalities and emergencies, with a multistakeholder and people-centered response.
International solidarity should be re-affirmed as a primary pillar of international law and as the foundation for a future-oriented and inclusive multilateralism, as identified by the UN Secretary General in his report on Our Common Agenda.
