The third extraordinary session of the Meeting of the Parties (ExMoP3) to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) and the twenty-sixth meeting of the Convention’s Working Group of the Parties (WGP26) took place back-to-back in Geneva on 22-24 June 2022 (Palais des Nations). The meetings were held in an in-person format.

The Meeting of the Parties elected by consensus Mr. Michel Forst as the  independent Special Rapporteur on environmental defenders, in accordance with decision VII/9 of the Meeting of the Parties (ENG FRE RUS) adopted at its seventh ordinary session (Geneva, 18–21 October 2021). Information on nominations of candidates for the election of the Special Rapporteur is available here. In addition to the election of the Special Rapporteur, the Meeting of the Parties  convened a round table where delegates discussed the main trends, challenges and good practices with regard to the protection of environmental defenders. The discussion was organized in a format of keynote statements and interventions by representatives of Governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations and other stakeholders, followed by a general discussion. The topics for discussion were based on decision VII/9 and the key issues addressed through the work of the Task Forces and Working Group of the Parties. Programme for the Round Table is available below.

Documents for the meeting and statements delivered at the event will be uploaded on this webpage as soon as they become available. For additional information, please read article on the meetings