Meetings and events

On 9 July 2024, the annual thematic panel discussion on technical cooperation and capacity-building during Human Rights Council session 56, pursuant to Council resolution 54/28 from October 2023. The panel was opened by Director CTMD on behalf of Deputy High Commissioner, and included three panellists: the Ambassador of Norway, UN Women representative in Geneva and the Director of NGO UPR Info. 29 States (including various regional groups) and 8 civil society organizations took the floor during the interactive dialogue, focusing primarily on strengthening technical cooperation and capacity building in the context of the UPR mechanism, as well as the need for sustainable funding and support to the UPR Voluntary Funds.

Panel statements: Annual thematic panel discussion on technical cooperation and capacity-building (2024) - YouTube
UN WEB TV: 32nd Meeting - 56th Regular Session of Human Rights Council | UN Web TV

Achievements, good practices and lessons learned over the past 15 years and optimized support to States in the implementation of recommendations emanating from the fourth cycle

Chair: 
H.E. Mr. Václav Bálek, President of the Human Rights Council

Opening statements: 

Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (video message)

Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights

Panellists:

• H.E. Mr. Federico Villegas, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations Office at Geneva 
• Ms. Susanna Moorehead, Chair of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
• Ms. Mona M’Bikay, Executive Director of UPR Info

Concept Note

Play recording

Update on the high-level panel requested by HRC resolution 51/30 by Argentina at the Organizational meeting for the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council

The report on the High-level panel discussion on the achievements, good practices and lessons learned by the two UPR voluntary funds, submitted to the 53^rd session of the Human Rights Council, takes stock of the impact of the Funds on the UPR mechanism during the 3^rd UPR cycle.

The report summarizes the high-level panel discussion held at the Human Rights Council on 1 March 2023, featuring the UN Deputy Secretary-General and the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and representatives from OECD, UPR Info, Member States, United Nations entities and civil society representatives.

Access HRC report 53/58

In view of the start of the 4th cycle of the UPR and its focus on enhanced implementation of recommendations, OHCHR and the Permanent Missions of Morocco, the Dominican Republic, Switzerland, the Philippines, and South Africa organized a side event on the margins of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Chaired by H.E. Omar Hilale, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of the Kingdome of Morocco to the United Nations, the side event was opened by:

• H.E. Mr. Federico Villegas, President of the Human Rights Council;
• Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, OHCHR;
• Ms. Asako Okai, Assistant Secretary-General and Director, UNDP Crisis Bureau; and
• Mr. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination, DCO.

All speakers highlighted the important opportunity presented by the commencement of the 4th cycle to work together towards enhanced engagement by States and the UN system with the UPR process, in line with the Practical Guidance on the use of the UPR at the country level.

High-level representatives of States and other relevant stakeholders shared concrete examples of how the Voluntary Fund (VF) has supported the implementation of UPR recommendations. They also discussed progress in the implementation of UPR recommendations by States and their integration with other relevant frameworks, including efforts to achieve the SDGs.

The event also served as a forum to raise further awareness of tools available to States and other stakeholders to assist in facilitating greater follow-up and implementation of recommendations. In view of the enhanced focus on the implementation of the 4th cycle, it also promoted States’ access to the financial and technical assistance available through the Fund.

View recording on UN Web TV

Flyer and programme of the event: PDF

Programme - PDF: Français
 
Opening statements:

• HRC President – Ambassador Federico Villegas - PDF: Français;
• President of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors in Geneva – Ambassador Makaila Ahmad of Chad - PDF: Français;
• ASG UNDP, Director of the Crisis Bureau Ms. Asako Okai - PDF: English;
• DCO LAC Director Mr. Roberto Valent - PDF: English;
• OHCHR, UPR Chief Mr. Gianni Magazzeni - PDF: Français.

Main recommendations of the Seminar - PDF: Français

Report of the 6th OIF-OHCHR seminar on the UPR – PDF: Français

• Programme
• List of participants

• Programme
• List of participants
• Speech by Mr Georges NAKSEU-NGUEFANG Permanent Representative of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Geneva and Vienna
• Speech by H.E.M. Makaila AHMAD, Permanent Representative of Chad to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Chairman of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors (GAF)
• Speech by Mr Jacques KRABAL, Parliamentary Secretary General of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF)
• Speech by Mr Martin CHUNGONG, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
• Speech by Mr Mahamane CISSE-GOURO, Director of the Human Rights Council Mechanisms and Human Rights Instruments Division, OHCHR