UN Human Rights Council Social Forum – Platform for Dialogue on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights

The Social Forum is a subsidiary platform of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) where Member States, civil society organizations, and intergovernmental entities engage in open dialogue regarding the enabling environment necessary to fulfil economic, social, and cultural rights.

 What Is the Social Forum?

• A permanent forum established under Human Rights Council Resolution 16/26 (2011), later reaffirmed by Resolution 44/22 (2020) and Resolution 56/12 (2024) .
• It facilitates inclusive discussion among States, civil society, experts, and UN entities on challenges and opportunities related to promoting economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCRs) across national and international levels.

 Why It Matters

The Social Forum plays a crucial role in:

• Elevating ESCR-related challenges, like inequality, education, health, housing, or labor conditions.
• Serving as a cross-sector space where grassroots groups, UN officials, and government delegates shape policy dialogue and share best practices.
• Informing broader HRC work through published reports and thematic submissions.

 Key Developments & Reports

• Notable sessions include the 2020 forum (A/HRC/46/59) and the 2023 forum (A/HRC/55/68), which focused on themes such as technology’s contribution to human rights in post-pandemic recovery environments.
• Resolutions adopted without vote (e.g., No. 16/26 in 2011; No. 44/22 in 2020; No. 56/12 in 2024) reaffirm the forum’s mandate and continuity.

 Participation & Structure

• Sessions typically follow the Human Rights Council’s annual calendar and may include plenary discussions, expert panels, and civil society evidence-sharing.
• Reports are published after each edition, offering summaries, thematic recommendations, and participant lists. (e.g., A/HRC/46/59 for 2020 and A/HRC/55/68 for 2023).

 Impact & Forward Outlook

The Social Forum enables inclusive and structured dialogue on ESCR issues and builds bridges between governments and civil society. It strengthens policymaking transparency in areas such as education, housing, social protection, and public health—especially as countries rebuild after crises, including the COVID era .

 Official OHCHR Link