In its resolution 18/6, the Human Rights Council established the mandate of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order and requested the Independent Expert to report annually to the Council and the General Assembly. The mandate of the Independent Expert, and the Council’s request for annual reporting to both bodies, was most recently renewed by the Council in its resolution 45/4.
In his fourth report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/48/58), the Independent Expert, Livingstone Sewanyana, examines to what extent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic constitutes a most serious test to the principle of multilateralism, which is core to a democratic and equitable international order, and how it could be the opportunity, as advocated in various forums, for renewed multilateralism with a view to addressing the pandemic and achieving a democratic and equitable international order.
In the light of the current situation linked to the pandemic, the Independent Expert intends for his report to the Human Rights Council to also be a submission to the General Assembly. The Secretariat therefore has the honour to refer the Assembly to that report.