New 2026 HRC Resolution on Youth and Human Rights: Adopted!
On 5th October 2026, at its 63rd session, the Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted unanimously its latest resolution on youth and human rights (A/HRC/RES/63/8).
The resolution asks OHCHR to organize the HRC biennial panel at its 66th session (September-October 2027) on the theme of “youth and the right to an adequate standard of living, with a particular focus on the systemic challenges and barriers faced by young people in accessing affordable housing, as well as building economic resilience and achieving economic independence during their transition to adulthood.” It also requests OHCHR to prepare a detailed study on this same topic for presentation to the HRC 69th session (September-October 2028).
This resolution -the only HRC resolution specifically focusing on young people- confirms the willingness of Member States to continue working on youth rights related issues within the UN Human Rights Council.
The adoption of the resolution is particularly significant this year as 2026 marks the 10th Anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Youth and Human Rights. On the 30th June 2016, the HRC had adopted its first-ever resolution recognizing youth as key actors in promoting and protecting human rights (A/HRC/RES/32/1). This was a historic milestone, affirming that young people are not only recipients of rights, but leaders and partners in shaping a more just and inclusive world. This resolution has the merit of introducing and institutionalizing the topic of youth on the agenda of the Human Rights Council.
As IIMA and VIDES, we firmly believe that the Human Rights Council cannot fully fulfill its human rights mandate if the rights of young people, the human rights challenges they face, and their irreplaceable contribution to the realization of those rights are not adequately reflected in the Council’s work and agenda—and even less so if the effective and meaningful participation of young people in the HRC work is not guaranteed. Ten years after the adoption of the first HRC resolution on youth and human rights, we must move beyond merely consulting young people to ensuring their influence in decision-making processes; from involving them on an ad hoc basis to ensuring their institutionalized and systematic participation; and from simply inviting them to meetings to genuinely considering them as partners.
IIMA and VIDES Human Rights Office will continue engaging with the Human Rights Council and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that youth empowerment through human rights remains high in the agenda of the Council.
All HRC resolutions on youth and human rights are available here.
To learn more about IIMA and VIDES commitment in advocating for a Youth Global Agenda, watch this video and consult the youth dedicated webpage in our website.