A/HRC/30/44 has presented three substantive reports to the Human Rights Council and three reports to the General Assembly on various issues falling within his mandate including on fostering full, equitable and effective participation in conduct of public affairs; the adverse impacts of military expenditures on a democratic international order; the right of self-determination, as well as initiatives and mechanisms promoting the right to peace, international cooperation, and enhanced participation of States and civil society in global decisionmaking. 2. In resolution A/HRC/RES/25/15, the Human Rights Council calls upon Members states “to fulfil their commitment … to maximize the benefits of globalization through, inter alia, the strengthening and enhancement of international cooperation to increase equality of opportunities for trade, economic growth and sustainable development…”, reiterating “… that only through broad and sustained efforts to create a shared future based upon our common humanity and all its diversity can globalization be made fully inclusive and equitable.” 3. In recent years, globalization has fostered trade as well as cultural and human exchange, which ultimately has benefitted economic growth. Globalization has provided opportunities for improved standards of living and poverty reduction, but it has also caused unemployment in some sectors, dismantled local industries and triggered population movements and migration. Moreover, the increasing influence of trade in global, regional and bilateral relations between States has in many instances led to growing inequalities both between States and within States. While globalization has allowed for the empowerment of individuals and communities in various domains, the increased rapidity of trade liberalization today, especially in terms of financial flows and corporations’ influential capacity, renders it pertinent to examine the continuing effects of trade and investment agreements on a democratic and equitable international order. 4. Accordingly, the Independent Expert intends to examine the impact of free trade and investment agreements on a democratic and equitable international order in his upcoming reports to the Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly. 5. As part of the process of elaborating these reports, the Independent Expert is convening a one-day expert consultation on 5 May 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. 2. Objectives 6. The consultation intends to: (i) Seek the views of experts on the impact of free trade and investment agreements on the protection and promotion of human rights and the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; (ii) Explore ways in which globalization in trade-related areas could advance, rather than hinder, the realization of an international order that is more democratic and more equitable; (iii) Gather suggestions for concrete and pragmatic recommendations for his reports to the Human Rights Council and General Assembly. 3. Expected outcome 7. The expected outcome of this meeting is to provide inputs and suggestions to inform the Independent Expert’s 2015 reports to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. Participants are encouraged to put forward possible recommendations for inclusion in these reports. Written submission before or after the consultation are welcome. 27