[Human Rights Council side event] Energy Transition, Governance and Human Rights: Towards Integrated Approaches to the Right to Development in North Africa

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The Geneva press club is pleased to host a side event organised on the fringes of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) by the Observatoire International de Genève pour la Paix, la Démocratie et les Droits de l’Homme (IOPDHR), en partenariat avec l’Alliance Suisse-Maroc et PDES-ONG.

Speakers :

• Ms. Tatiana LANSHINA – International expert in energy transition, specializing in decarbonization policies and the transformation of power systems (Germany);
• Mr. Rachid GUERRAOUI – Professor at EPFL, internationally recognized specialist in distributed systems and governance of complex systems (Switzerland);
• Ms. Khadija BENDAM – President of the International Centre of Nuclear Societies, Moroccan expert in nuclear safety and security (Morocco);
• Ms. Isabelle CHEVALLEY – Expert in circular economy, energy transition, and Africa–Europe cooperation, founder of Éco-LIT (Switzerland);
• Moderator: Mr. Ventzeslav SABEV – University of Geneva, moderator of the session (Switzerland).

To participate, please register using the following link

The North Africa region is undergoing a major structural transformation driven by economic reforms, energy transition policies, diversification of energy sources, and the strengthening of long-term planning. This takes place in a context of strong energy dependency, socio-economic vulnerabilities, territorial inequalities, and rising social demands for jobs, public services, and social protection.

When based on transparent, inclusive governance and human rights principles, the energy transition can support the realization of key rights such as adequate living standards, work, health, a healthy environment, and development. However, if human rights are not adequately considered, it risks deepening inequalities and limiting the participation of affected communities.

In recent years, several North African countries have introduced energy transition policies that increasingly include governance tools, energy security measures, and strategic monitoring frameworks. These initiatives offer a useful basis for assessing how energy policies can support inclusive and sustainable development in line with international human rights obligations.

How can the energy transition concretely contribute to the realization of the right to development What governance mechanisms promote equitable access to the benefits of the energy transition? How can the effective participation of populations and civil society in strategic planning processes be strengthened? What lessons can be drawn from North African experiences for other countries in the MENA region? What challenges persist in terms of inequalities, accountability, and social justice?