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.