The annual symposium titled "Climate Change and Human Rights: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions" was held at Expo City Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday, 5 December, 2023, in conjunction with the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention on Climate Change (COP28). The symposium was organised by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), and supported by the European Union, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI).

H.E. Maqsoud Kruse, Chairperson of the NHRI, delivered the opening speech, welcoming all participants to the symposium. H.E. emphasised the importance of active participation and collaboration in achieving the symposium's goals and transforming ideas into actionable achievements within the framework of environmental human rights.

The symposium is an annual event organised by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) on the sidelines of previous COPs. This year's symposium is particularly important as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Principles, which organise and guide the work of national human rights institutions.