“Local budgets should be regarded not as mere technical instruments but as key vehicles for implementing human rights,” underlined Congress Director Claudia Luciani addressing the High-level Conference on “Local Governments and Human Rights-Based Budgeting: Pathways to Accountability”, held online on 5 February 2026.

“Investing in human rights goes beyond the issue of financial resources: it requires political courage to counter rules or legislations that prevent citizens to fully enjoy their rights,” she said. “With the support of the Congress, local and regional authorities can play a central role in implementing human rights-based budgeting and drive social transformation through human rights-oriented governance,” concluded the Congress Director.