A/HRC/RES/44/7 Recognizing that climate change poses an existential threat for some countries andrecognizing also that it has already had an adverse impact on the full and effective enjoyment of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments, Expressing concern that, while these implications affect individuals and communities around the world, the adverse effects of climate change are felt most acutely by those segments of the population that are already in vulnerable situations owing to factors such as geography, poverty, gender, age, indigenous or minority status where applicable, national or social origin, birth or other status and disability, Recognizing that climate change, and biodiversity loss and other types of environmental degradation, put added pressure on the environment that may in turn exacerbate disease emergence and increase the impact of pandemics, including the spread of diseases, thereby increasing the risk of exposure of the most vulnerable segments of society, inter alia, older persons, especially older persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses, to the combined negative effects and consequences of these phenomena, and put added strain on health systems, particularly those of developing economies, Acknowledging the efforts of States to determine the best way to strengthen the protection of the human rights of older persons, while taking note of the various proposals that have been made within the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, 2 Welcoming the work of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Stressing the particular vulnerabilities of older persons, including older women and older persons with disabilities, exposed by the implications of climate change, including their increased susceptibility to diseases, heat stress, reduced mobility, social exclusion and reduced physical, emotional and financial resilience, as well as the need for measures to address their specific needs and to ensure their participation in disaster response planning for emergency situations and evacuations, humanitarian emergency response, and health-care services, as appropriate, Expressing concern at the adverse impact of climate change on individuals with multiple vulnerability factors, including older persons, particularly women and those with disabilities and/or pre-existing conditions, and recognizing that older persons are among the most adversely affected in an emergency, as has be seen during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, sustaining disproportionately higher rates of morbidity and mortality, while at the same time being among those least able to have access to emergency support and health services, Recalling the call for solidarity by the Secretary-General in the face of the COVID19 pandemic,3 and welcoming his release of a policy brief on the impact of COVID-19 on older persons,4 that recommends, among other actions, ensuring the meaningful participation of older persons in decision-making processes that affect their lives, Emphasizing that sudden-onset natural disasters and slow-onset events seriously affect the access of vulnerable segments of society, including older persons, to food and nutrition, safe drinking water and sanitation, health-care services and medicines, social protection, education and training, adequate housing, transportation and access to decent work, Reaffirming the need for the continuing implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, adopted at the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, and its references to human rights, as well as to older persons as key stakeholders in disaster risk reduction, 2 3 4 A/AC.278/2019/2. UN News, “UN chief calls for ‘solidarity, unity and hope’ in battling COVID-19 pandemic”, 30 April 2020. United Nations, “Policy brief: the impact of COVID-19 on older persons”, May 2020. 3