A/HRC/55/44 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 21 February 2024 Original: English Human Rights Council Fifty-fifth session 26 February–5 April 2024 Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Right to participate in science Report of the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Alexandra Xanthaki* Summary In her report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Alexandra Xanthaki, emphasizes the importance of an inclusive approach to the right to science. She recalls the evolution of the meaning of science, which now encompasses all scientific approaches. The Special Rapporteur stresses that the right to participate in science through varied modalities must be guaranteed for all and she advocates for multiple and wide-ranging science-policy interfaces and special measures to remove obstacles to the exercise of that right. Scientific freedom must be guaranteed and a human rights approach to science must be implemented at all levels by all actors. * The present report was submitted after the deadline so as to include the most recent information. GE.24-01813 (E) 210224 210224