HRC 62 The Snow Leopard and Transboundary Linear Infrastructure in High-Mountain Ecosystems: Climate Risks, Ecological Connectivity and Human Rights

Side-Event at the 62nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council

2 July 2026, 10:00–11:00 | Palais des Nations, Room XI

Overview

On 2 July 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00, United Villages will host a side-event at the Palais des Nations, Room XI, on the margins of the 62nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council. CAP Liberté de Conscience is proud to be a partner of this event.

The conference will explore the intersection of climate change, biodiversity loss, and human rights through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic endangered species: the snow leopard. The discussion will focus on the threats posed by transboundary linear infrastructure — railways, roads, and energy corridors — to high-mountain ecosystems, ecological connectivity, and the communities that depend on them.

Context

High-mountain ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures, glacial retreat, and shifting precipitation patterns are already disrupting the delicate balance of these habitats. The snow leopard, an apex predator and indicator species, faces shrinking ranges, prey scarcity, and increasing human-wildlife conflict.

At the same time, large-scale infrastructure projects — such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway — are cutting through critical habitats, fragmenting ecosystems, and threatening the survival of the species. These projects also carry profound human rights implications, particularly for Indigenous and local communities whose livelihoods, cultural practices, and access to natural resources are directly affected.

This side-event will examine how climate risks, ecological connectivity, and human rights are intertwined — and why a rights-based approach to infrastructure development is essential.

Speakers

M. Frank Schwalba-Hoth, Member of the European Parliament (1984–1987), Co-Founder of the German Greens
M. Gary Cartwright, Editor of EU Today, author of the policy white paper Vanishing Tracks — The Snow Leopard and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway
Ms Sascha Faxe, Member of the Danish Parliament, Former Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Programme

Introduction — M. Kossi Atsou, Chief Executive Officer, United Villages
Moderation — M. Thierry Valle, President, CAP Liberté de Conscience
Keynote presentations — Expert speakers
Discussion and Q&A

Why This Matters

The snow leopard is more than a symbol of wild beauty. It is a barometer of ecosystem health and a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet’s most fragile environments. As the international community seeks to mobilise climate finance and advance sustainable development, this event calls for an approach that places human rights, ecological integrity, and the voices of affected communities at the centre of decision-making.

Join us on 2 July 2026 at 10:00 in Room XI, Palais des Nations.