A/HRC/27/54 20. The Special Rapporteur intends to continue the approach to the mandate whereby specific thematic issues cutting across various levels of governance are explored, as are the circumstances in particular countries or regions, with the latter entailing field visits to countries and relevant institutions involved in the management of hazardous substances and wastes. When choosing the issues on which to focus his thematic reports, criteria such as the extent and the gravity of actual or potential human rights violations arising from a particular issue, and whether an analysis from the perspective of victims of human rights violations could add impetus to international efforts to address a particular issue, will be applied. 21. The Special Rapporteur plans to undertake two full-fledged country visits per year. As was the case with his predecessor, the Special Rapporteur will strive for a proper balance in the choice of destinations for country visits, in order to visit all regions of the world and all categories of countries. The Special Rapporteur hopes that his first such visit will be made in response to an invitation extended to his predecessor that the latter was unable to take up. The Special Rapporteur will also take advantage of country visits to visit the headquarters of relevant international organizations. 22. In executing the mandate, the Special Rapporteur will visit the headquarters and/or governing meetings of a number of international and intergovernmental organizations, within or outside the United Nations system, that play a key role in the regulation of hazardous substances and wastes. He will seek closer collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization. In addition, he will seek input from other participants in the InterOrganization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, as well as from other relevant organizations and actors identified in previous reports to the Council or as otherwise necessitated by the mandate. 23. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that he will strive to provide opportunities for all interested stakeholders to submit evidence that falls within the scope of the mandate. The Special Rapporteur agrees with his predecessor that the method applied by the World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission) in the mid1980s, which enabled the popularization of the concept of sustainable development, could provide a useful model (A/HRC/24/39, para. 55). To that end, the Special Rapporteur would like to hold a series of consultations during the term of his mandate in order to give an opportunity to all stakeholders — including governments, national human rights institutions, scientists, research institutes, the business community, civil society, and the general public, as well as experts and practitioners of environmental, human rights, and chemicals management laws — to submit any and all evidence relevant to his mandate. 24. Such meetings will allow the identification and consideration of existing problems and gaps in chemicals management that carry human rights implications. Specific proposals and recommendations for lasting solutions to existing problems and gaps will be discussed with stakeholders, as they emerge. In addition, attention will be drawn to cases involving the management of hazardous substances that require immediate intervention in order to address adverse effects on human rights. 25. The Special Rapporteur will report to the Council at its thirtieth session on progress made in connection with the guide to best practices, which will reflect all the experience gained and evidence gathered during the course of his work pursuant to the mandate. He notes, however, that he expects to need more than a year of work to complete a draft for consideration by the Council. As envisioned by his predecessor, the Special Rapporteur will consider existing global and regional instruments for the protection and promotion of human rights, and for protection of the environment, workers and consumers. He will also consider the case law and practice of relevant human rights treaty courts and other 5

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