Local authorities must systematically integrate human rights into the budgetary process. Highlighting this imperative, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif, in her keynote address at the Conference “Human Rights Go Local: What Works” on 5 February 2026, called on mayors worldwide to adopt a human rights-based budgeting approach.
The Conference was opened by Deputy Governor Manuela Khom, State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn, Executive Director of UN-Habitat Anacláudia Rossbach and UNESCO Assistant Director-General Lidia Brito. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of being a Human Rights City, an all-women panel brought together key actors, as Elke Kahr, Mayoress of the City of Graz, Claudia Luciani, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe, Emilia Saiz, Secretary General, United Cities and Local Governments, Dafna Feinholz, Director Research, Ethics and Inclusion, UNESCO, Savitri Bisnath, Economist and Senior Director, The New School, New York, USA, and Alison Hosie, Researcher, Scottish Human Rights Commission.
Moderated by Martha Davis, Professor of Law, Northeastern University, Boston, USA, the panellists reflected on the conference’s Outcome Document with its twelve encouragements of applying a human rights-based approach to budgeting, cooperating horizontally and vertically, and fruitfully exchanging with international organisations. Panellists crystallized the debate with the questions of: “Who decides? Who benefits? Who accounts responsible?” for human rights and local budgets.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all partners, speakers, and participants for their contributions and commitment. Your engagement made this year’s Academy and Conference a resounding success.
