LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund
In 2012, the Human Rights Council through resolution 19/26 established the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to support the participation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the work of the Council. The LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund, operational since 2014, runs on voluntary contributions from UN member States.
The LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund aims to ensure that
LDCs and SIDS, in particular those without permanent representation in Geneva, are able to participate and contribute to the work of the Council. It does so by providing training on human rights and engagement with the Council, fellowship programmes and practical induction trainings for delegates. More recently, it also provides annual briefings to delegates in New York on the engagement with the General Assembly, conducts regional workshops, and mandated the OHCHR to prepare an evaluation report to be presented at the 49th Council session.
Currently,
72 LDCs/SIDS are eligible to apply for the Trust Fund (14 Latin American and Caribbean States, 22 Asia-Pacific States, and 36 African State). Up to 10 delegates are supported per Council session and up to eight delegates per year for the fellowship programme. Participation of LDCs and SIDS delegates in Council sessions enables them to better advance and promote human rights issues that are of primary importance for their respective countries, such as climate change.
Latest news
2021 Year in Review and 2022 Outlook LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund
Funding opportunities to participate in the 49th, 50th and 51st sessions of the Human Rights Council with the support of the LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund
To the Permanent Missions of LDCs/SIDS in Geneva and New York
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (Secretariat of the Technical Assistance Trust Fund to Support the Participation of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in the Work of the Human Rights Council) presents its compliments to the Permanent Missions of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small I sample Island Developing States (SIDS) in Geneva and New York and has the honour to attach herewith the
note verbale and 2 related documents (visa information form and
sample Note verbale) concerning the application for participation in the 49th, 50th and 51st sessions of the Human Rights Council (Deadlines: 49th session: 1st January 2022, 50th session: 1st April 2022, 51st session: 1st June 2022).
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (Secretariat of the Technical Assistance Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States) avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Permanent Missions of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Geneva and New York the assurances of its highest consideration.
Participation of LDCs/SIDS delegates at HRC48:
watch the video
A record 160 UN Members States have supported the decision
L.23; A/HRC/DEC/46/115 by the Human Rights Council. Decision
L.23; A/HRC/DEC/46/115 is the most sponsored Human Rights Council resolution/decision since its establishment in 2006. The decision has been adopted without a vote during the 46th session of the Human Rights Council to hold a High Level Panel discussion on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to Support the Participation of LDCs/SIDS in its work.
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Video Universal participation in the Human Rights Council in the Human Rights Council, Podcast UNOG
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Video The most sponsored resolution in the history of the Human Rights Council refers to Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
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