Human Rights, Sustainable Development & the Law

This biennial symposium features informed dialogue between experts, academics and practitioners on scaling up efforts to implement the SDGsThrough the United Nations, countries and communities have committed to advance seventeen global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tackling the most serious social, environmental and economic challenges of our century. Throughout 169 targets under these SDGs, the commitment to realise human rights worldwide is ubiquitous, accompanied by a recognition that law and policy can foster rather than frustrate sustainability. However, significant implementation gaps have emerged, as evidenced in Voluntary National Reports (VNRs) and National Plans (NPs) submitted to the UN by Member States, and the need for progress has become urgent. In times of great fragility, the need to respect and strengthen a rules-based, rights-based international legal order – as represented in Sustainable Development Goals 16 and 17 among others, is particularly pressing.As countries implement new strategies for the SDGs, ongoing challenges on all levels highlight the complexities of making progress to advance the SDGs in law, public policy and practice. New knowledge, analysis and collaborations can help bridge the SDG implementation gap, through law and policy review of human rights instruments highlighted in VNRs, and an informed assessment of recent law and policy reforms, innovative treaties and institutions, and international tribunal awards. Guided by international legal and governance systems, States and stakeholders can scale up efforts to advance the SDGs. Informed dialogue between experts, academics and practitioners is more important than ever, building on global research and analysis to offer opportunities for outstanding learning and impact.The international symposium on Human Rights, Sustainable Development and the Law will be held on July 10, 2026 and is hosted online by the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) and the McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, in cooperation with other institutes and leading experts from McGill University, the University of Montreal, the University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics, the University of Costa Rica, Yale University, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, the Swiss Italian University, Afe Babalola University, and other distinguished academic partners, together with renowned experts who serve as United Nations Human Rights Rapporteurs, the International Law Association (ILA), the International Inter- Tribal Trade & Investment Organization (IITIO), (NZLA), the McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law (MJSDL), the Nigerian Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy (JSDLP), the Cambridge International Law Journal (CILJ), Canada's Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and other partners.Biennial Global Online Symposium, HE Judge CG Weeramantry International Justice Awards & Hon Justice CD Gonthier Memorial LecturesFriday, 10 July 202608:00 – 08:30 (Montreal) | 13:00 – 13:30 (Cambridge)Online Moderation & Technical ChecksOnline Masters of Ceremony: Adv. Tejas Rao (CISDL / University of Cambridge), Adv. Carter Cheng (CISDL / University of Cambridge) & Adv. Moushita Dutta (McGill University)08:30– 09:15 (Montreal) | 13:30 – 14:15 (Cambridge)Opening PlenaryChairs: Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger (CISDL / University of Cambridge) & Prof. Nandini Ramanujan (McGill Centre for Human Rights & Legal Pluralism / McGill University)Online Masters of Ceremony: Adv. Tejas Rao (CISDL / University of Cambridge), Adv. Carter Cheng (CISDL / University of Cambridge) & Adv. Moushita Dutta (McGill University)09:15 – 10:00 (Montreal) | 14:15 – 15:00 (Cambridge)High-Level Keynote Segment: Human Rights in the Global Climate EmergencyChairs: Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger (CISDL / University of Cambridge) & Prof. Nandini Ramanujan (McGill Centre for Human Rights & Legal Pluralism / McGill University)Online Masters of C