A/HRC/43/34 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 37/6 of 22 March 2018, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to convene, before the forty-first session of the Human Rights Council, a half-day intersessional seminar on the role of good governance in the promotion and protection of human rights, and on sharing best practices in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 16 in that regard. The seminar was held in Geneva on 14 June 2019, with the participation of experts on good governance and human rights. 2. Background documents for the seminar included a note and a report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/2003/103 and E/CN.4/2005/97), a study by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (Good Governance Practices for the Protection of Human Rights, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.07.XIV.10) and a report of the High Commissioner to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/34/28). 3. The objectives of the intersessional seminar were: (a) To discuss the importance of good governance for the realization of human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 16; (b) To identify governance challenges faced by countries in realizing human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 16; (c) To share best practices, including relating to international cooperation, in support of good governance; (d) To identify challenges and share best practices for measuring good governance; (e) To recommend action that might be taken by the United Nations system, including the Human Rights Council, to support States in their efforts to strengthen good governance. 4. The intersessional seminar was chaired by the Permanent Representative of Poland to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Zbigniew Czech, and moderated by a member of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, Changrok Soh. The Chief of the Right to Development Section of OHCHR, Ayush BatErdene, delivered opening remarks on behalf of OHCHR. 5. The panel comprised Bureau member and Rapporteur of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration, Louis Meuleman; Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office in Geneva, Maria Luisa Silva; Policy Advisor at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Directorate for Public Governance, Carina Lindberg; and member of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Zdzislaw Kedzia. II. Opening 6. In his opening remarks, the Chair emphasized that good governance was a cornerstone of democratic stability, and an indispensable element for achieving sustainable development. Citing general comment No. 12 (1999) on the right to food, of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Chair reiterated that good governance was essential to the realization of all human rights, including the elimination of poverty and ensuring a satisfactory livelihood for all. Good governance played a key role in ensuring an environment in which the promotion and protection of human rights and sustainable development could be achieved. 7. Mr. Bat-Erdene asserted that Sustainable Development Goal 16 encapsulated the essence of good governance, as it recognized the importance of ensuring the rule of law, reducing corruption, enhancing participation, ensuring effective, accountable and transparent institutions, increasing access to information and protecting fundamental 2