On behalf of United Nations Human Rights and the University of Colorado Boulder, it is our distinct privilege to welcome you to the Right Here, Right Now (RHRN) Global Climate Summit.

The University of Colorado Boulder is honored to co-host this major event with United Nations Human Rights, which is led by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. United Nations Human Rights represents the world’s commitment to universal ideals of human dignity and has a unique mandate from the international community to promote and protect human rights for all, everywhere.

As co-chairs of the steering committee for the RHRN summit, our work began in earnest over a year ago. The faculty-led steering committee has been able to build a robust agenda that brings together renowned leaders and experts from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society and youth advocates, from around the globe.

As we gather, in person and virtually, our goal over the coming days is to explore, from a human rights perspective, the impacts, obligations and solutions in relation to the climate crises. We hope to identify actionable solutions to address the urgent need to protect the planet, and humanity, from a changing global climate.

The co-chairs would like to thank the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance, United Nations Human Rights and the University of Colorado Boulder for their support for this important work.

Thank you for joining us.

Respectfully,

Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit Chairs

S. James Anaya
University Distinguished Professor
Nicholas Doman Professor of International Law
University of Colorado Boulder Law School

Heidi VanGenderen
Chief Sustainability Officer
University of Colorado Boulder

Seth Marder
Professor and Director
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute
University of Colorado Boulder