General Assembly: 31st plenary meeting, 81st session

Good morning to all of you. The 31st plenary meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will consider agenda item 65, entitled Report of the Human Rights Council. The documentation under this item is listed in the Journal of the United Nations. I will now make a statement in my capacity as the President of the General Assembly. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, our consideration of the Human Rights Council's report is more than an annual exercise. It is an opportunity to ask whether our collective commitments are making people safer, strengthening their freedoms, and protecting their dignity. I thank the President of the Human Rights Council, who is with us this morning, and all who contribute to this work. Twenty years after its establishment, the Council remains as essential forum for dialogue, scrutiny, and cooperation. Its mechanisms expose violations, bring neglected concerns to international attention, and support Member States in fulfilling their obligations. The report and its addendum bring together the Council’s resolutions, decisions, and presidential statements adopted during the reporting period. These outcomes call for sustained engagement by Member States. But the value of this work cannot be measured by the volume of documents produced. It must be measured by the difference made in people's lives. Excellencies, the theme of the 81st session of the General Assembly is "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All." This places human rights at the heart of our work. Trust grows when rights become reality, and in this regard, allow me to emphasize three priorities. First, let us uphold all human rights for everyone, everywhere, without double standards. Civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights reinforce one another. Freedom from fear and freedom from want belong to the same promise. Dignity cannot be defended selectively. Political disagreement cannot excuse our failure to respond to human suffering and protect human rights. The Universal Periodic Review embodies this principle. Every member state comes before its peers. No country is beyond scrutiny. Every country has something to improve, learn, and contribute. We should therefore approach this process with candor and cooperation, and turn recommendations into national actions. Accountability and cooperation are not competing objectives. Both are essential for effective protection. Second, let us connect our institutions more closely to the people they serve. Respecting distinct mandates, we need to strengthen coordination across United Nations human rights, development, peace, and humanitarian work. Early warnings should prompt timely attention. Findings will inform decisions. Commitments will lead to action. Civil society, national human rights institutions, women, young people, and affected communities must help shape that response. Participation is not an accessory to multilateralism, it's the foundation of its legitimacy. For refugees, migrants, and communities facing discrimination, coordination must mean fewer protection gaps, clearer responsibility, and support that arrives in time. Third, we should manage transformation without weakening protection. Reform must make United Nations more effective, responsive, and accountable. Efficiency matters, but savings alone cannot define success. Human rights mandates need adequate, predictable resources. We cannot demand stronger protection while weakening the means to provide it. We should also strengthen the means of implementation at country level. For developing countries, especially those facing severe capacity constraints, commitments must be matched by accessible technical assistance, institutional capacity building, and sustained international cooperation. Support should respond to national priorities, helping translate recommendations into laws, policies, and service. Financing, capable institutions, and effective partnerships must close the distance between international commitments and daily experience. Transformation also requires us to confront technological change. Artificial intelligence can expand knowledge, services, and opportunity. It can also deepen discrimination and enable intrusive surveillance. Human rights must guide innovation from design to deployment. Developing countries need both the capacity to benefit and a voice in shaping the rules. Decisions affecting everyone cannot be shaped by only a few. Excellencies, the people we serve do not experience our work as separate agendas. They experience safety or insecurity, inclusion or exclusion, opportunity or deprivation. Our response must be equally connected. This debate should strengthen the link between Council's work and our responsibility to act. Its outcomes must reach beyond our meeting rooms to the institutions and communities where rights are upheld or denied every day. Let us uphold principles consistently, equip institutions adequately, and turn recommendations into protection. This is how we restore trust. This is how we deliver for all. I thank you. In accordance with resolution 65/281, I now give the floor to His Excellency Sidhartho Reza Suryadipuro, President of the Human Rights Council. You have the floor, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished Representatives, It is an honor for me, in fulfillment of my mandate as President of the Human Rights Council, to present the Council’s annual report and its addendum. Presenting this report expresses the relationship between the Council and the Assembly that the Assembly had created 20 years ago as its subsidiary body and to which the Council remains accountable. The General Assembly reaffirmed this relationship in its resolution 80/287. Mr. President, distinguished representatives, I turn first to the work of the Council. This year began under severe constraints faced by the entire United Nations system. The extraordinary modalities adopted in 2025 which reduced the Council's meeting by 10 percent, continued to apply throughout this year. Under these circumstances, in its three regular sessions, the Council adopted 100 resolutions, welcomed 110 dignitaries to its high-level segment, and held 18 panel discussions. The Council addressed for the first time the rights of persons in street situations, children's access to nutritious food, and the human rights dimension of neglected tropical diseases. On technology, two new resolutions addressed the human rights implications of artificial intelligence and the rights of women and girls in the digital sphere. Technical assistance and capacity building remained an important part of the Council's work. A new resolution provided for cooperation with Portuguese-speaking States. The Council's resolutions continued to combine requests for practical assistance with sustained attention to the situations in countries across different regions. The Council responded to urgent developments at its 39th special session. It considered the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran in the context of nationwide protests. It held three urgent debates. at its 61st session, on the military aggression launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran against seven states in the region and on the aerial attack on the Shajareh Tayyibe Girls School in Minab, Iran; and at its 62nd session, on the situation in and around Olobeit, Sudan. Excellencies, distinguished representatives, I turn next to the Council's mechanisms and to the participation on which they depend. The Universal Periodic Review remains a central expression of the Council's universal mandate. Through constructive dialogue on an equal footing, each review identifies progress, challenges, and opportunities for cooperation. In decision 63/118, The Council called on a State under review to resume engagement after continued non-cooperation. As the fourth cycle nears its end, I invite Member States to strengthen implementation of recommendations and sustain the cooperation that underpins the mechanism's universality. The special procedures and investigative bodies bring independent expertise to thematic and country situations that demand sustained attention. Their wealth of information is also an independent source of knowledge on human rights worldwide. Reflecting the Council’s collective and institutional wish, I reaffirm my full support for mandate-holders whose integrity, independence, and protection from personal attacks, threats, and intimidation are essential to their work. I encourage States and all stakeholders to safeguard them. The Council's work benefits from the participation of the widest possible range of States. The Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund helps address obstacles faced by small island developing States and least developing countries by supporting participation in the Council's sessions. I thank States that support the Fund and encourage continued voluntary contributions. Virtual participation modalities can also help overcome barriers faced by small delegations and civil society, and the Council’s request that this Assembly consider authorizing them as a complement to in-person participation remains before you. I trust there is room to accommodate specific needs of UN organs and in this case, the Human Rights Council. Accessibility is equally integral to meaningful participation, and the Council has requested an advisory committee study on remaining accessibility gaps and practical measures to address them. Mr. President, distinguished representatives, the UN system-wide financial constraints have affected the Council's ability to deliver its programme of work. We must therefore ensure complementarity among our mechanisms and avoid unnecessary overlaps. Under a dedicated track on rationalization and efficiency, delegations in Geneva have worked to streamline a number of mandated reports to the Council and to this Assembly. ended one special procedure mandate, merged resolutions, and moved texts to triennial cycles. These efforts have helped moderate new resource requirements, now at the lowest in more than a decade. My co-facilitators on this track have highlighted a checklist for delegations when they formulate new resolutions, including budget implications, impacts on the programme of work, overlap with existing mandates, sunset clauses, frequency of resolutions, and streamlining of texts. The Human Rights Council is therefore making concrete contribution to the General Assembly-wide mandate review undertaking. The Council has also developed the Human Rights Council Mapper, which, though not yet complete, provides a searchable, evidence-based overview of more than 1,000 texts and 3,000 mandated activities, helping delegations identify overlaps, reporting cycles, and resource implications before decisions are taken. Predictability of financing is particularly important for the Council's work. Financial uncertainty risks disrupting continuity and undermining implementation, even when there is a clear mandate and agreement on the way forward. I therefore urge this Assembly, through its relevant committees, to further lend its support in this regard. Just a week ago, a retreat of the Human Rights Council was held in Bali, Indonesia, hosted by the government of Indonesia, where representatives of states gathered to review the current challenges of the human rights architecture and to explore ways forward. It was not only the farthest retreat ever convened by the President of the Council, it also held extensive discussion about the breadth of the indivisibility of human rights, and the need to further bring the Council closer to the ground. National human rights institutions are part of the answer. Their contribution to our work is indispensable. They support follow-up at the national level, bring information and perspective from grassroots communities, and help connect deliberations in Geneva with life lived experience. I invite continued attention to leveraging their role in our deliberations. Regional human rights and regional organizations, for their part, are also important partners. The Council has encouraged them to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations and with another to help translate universal standards to regional and national action. Let me also at this stage acknowledge the important role of civil society organizations. I encourage states to preserve the space for their safe and substantive participation. Excellencies, distinguished representatives, I turn finally to the recommendations of the Council that was placed before you. Resolution 61/7 recommends that this Assembly mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants during its 81st session. The anniversary offers an opportunity to reaffirm the equal importance of all human rights. In resolution 61/23, the Council invited the Assembly to consider a resolution for a high-level event marking the Genocide Convention's 80th anniversary in 2028, therefore, renewing attention to the prevention and implementation by State Parties. Starting this year, to strengthen coordination and to elevate the work of the Council, this year's Presidency has also extended the practice of sending, after each session, an informal summary of the Council's substantive discussion, initially addressed to the President of the General Assembly. These letters are now also sent to other relevant United Nations bodies and to regional organizations. Mr. President, distinguished representatives, in this 20th anniversary year of the Council, we can recognize what we have built through two decades of dialogue, scrutiny, and cooperation, while reflecting together on the distance still to travel. My closing message is one that I believe every delegation in this hall can carry. The Human Rights Council is the creation of this Assembly, and it belongs to all of its members. Universality, objectivity, non-selectivity, and the equal treatment of all human rights, including the right to development, remain the guiding principles of our deliberations and of our shared efforts towards tangible improvements in people's lives. We would do well to remember that the strength of the Council lies not only in its ability to respond to human rights challenges, but also in its capacity to foster cooperation and dialogue among Member States with diverse experience and perspectives. It is also a time to pursue consolidation at every layer, between United Nations bodies, between the branches of the Secretariat, and among Member States, including between their own delegations in New York and in Geneva. Together, this may be our most important contributions to the future of multilateralism. Allow me finally to conclude by thanking the General Assembly for its support. I am grateful to the Council's members and observers, the High Commissioner and his office, the Bureau, the national human rights institutions and civil society, the mandate holders, and the United Nations Office in Geneva. It is an honour to present the Council's report to this Assembly, and I look forward to our continued cooperation in fulfilling the mandate entrusted to the Human Rights Council and the determination of the United Nations to, inter alia, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person. Thank you.

I thank His Excellency Sidhartho Reza Suryadipuro for his statement as President of the Human Rights Council. Before proceeding further, I propose that the time limits for statements in this debate be five minutes for individual delegations speaking in their national capacity and seven minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of States. I see no objection to this proposal. It is so decided. I now invite Her Excellency Katuna Tlatlazade, for a Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, to make a statement. You have the floor, madam.

Mr. President, allow me to express my gratitude to the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Suryadipuro, for presenting the annual report. As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Council's establishment, full implementation of its mandate remains as important as ever. We underline the value of the UPR mechanism as a key element of the Council to assess the human rights situation in each country. Georgia underwent its fourth review in January this year. We will spare no effort to ensure implementation of accepted recommendations. Georgia supports inclusive participation by all member states in the Council's work, including throughout its voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund. Excellencies. Let me avail myself of this opportunity to thank all delegations that supported and co-sponsored the resolution, cooperation with Georgia, adopted by consensus for the second consecutive year. We believe that maintaining this consolidating stance is vital in addressing the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia, occupied by the Russian Federation. The resolution reiterates the call for immediate and unimpeded access for the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights and international and regional human rights mechanisms to occupied regions of Georgia. Regrettably, such access continues to be denied by the Russian Federation. Distinguished delegates, the human rights situation in the occupied regions of Georgia remains deeply concerning. The population continues to face arbitrary detentions, restrictions on freedom of movement, closure of so-called crossing points, violation of property rights, torture treatment, and systematic ethnic discrimination, including restrictions on education in the Georgian language. Unfortunately, no meaningful progress has been made towards ensuring the safe and dignified return of hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes. In this context, international engagement and accountability remain indispensable. The European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court have confirmed that the Russian Federation, as the power exercising effective control over the occupied regions, bears full responsibility for all human rights violations committed therein. Mr. President, the Russian Federation continues to disregard the EU mandate ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, and P’s policy aimed at further integrating the occupied regions of Georgia with the ultimate objective of their de facto annexation. In this regard, let me stress the recent alarming developments: so-called presidential elections held in the occupied Tskhinvali region on 18 September 2026; operation of Russian State Duma polling stations in both occupied regions without the consent of the Government of Georgia; recent so-called agreements and appointments with further deepened administrative control over the Tskhinvali region by the Russian Federation. At the same time, Georgia remains deeply concerned about the devastating human rights consequences of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and the continuing violations of international law. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters, and support the Council's continued efforts to ensure accountability and justice. In conclusion, Georgia will continue to contribute to the work of the Council and to strengthen the international human rights system. We call on the international community to remain united in upholding international law, ensuring accountability for grave human rights violations, and protecting the rights of all individuals. I thank you.

I thank you, madam, for your statement. And I now call upon European Union to speak on behalf of the EU and its member states.

Mr. President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. The candidate countries Montenegro, Albania, the Republic of Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Andorra and San Marino, align themselves with this statement. We thank Ambassador Sirin Dipuro for presenting the annual report and for your leadership of the Human Rights Council. Colleagues, we meet at a difficult time. War and conflict continue to claim lives and devastate communities. Around the world, human rights violations, democratic backsliding, and restrictions on civil space threaten hard-won progress. And these challenges are interconnected; one affects the other. The Human Rights Council cannot resolve these challenges alone, but it has an essential role in providing early warning, ensuring that human rights violations are documented, and that victims are heard, thereby contributing to fighting impunity, promoting accountability, and preventing future violations and abuses. This year marks 20 years since the Human Rights Council held its first session. Over these two decades, The Council has been a vital forum, the vital forum, for dialogue, cooperation, technical assistance, and has developed important instruments to advance its mandate to promote and protect human rights worldwide. The Universal Periodic Review brings every state's human rights record under scrutiny and advises on how to improve it. The Special Procedures provide independent expertise and early warning. Investigative mechanisms help establish facts and preserve evidence. These mechanisms are complementary, but their value ultimately depends on whether states implement their recommendations and abide by their human rights obligations. During the past year, the EU and its member states have worked with partners across regions on initiatives in the Council that address the full range of human rights. We supported several resolutions on economic, social, and cultural rights, including the right to education, to adequate housing, to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. We led the work on the resolution on freedom of religion and belief, and supported several other resolutions on civil and political rights, including on freedom of opinion and expression, countering disinformation, and efforts to combat torture and enforced disappearances. We continue to promote gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, the rights of children, youth, older persons, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities, as well as the fight against racism and protection of human rights defenders and civic space. And we also led and supported initiatives addressing the human rights implications of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, ensuring that technological progress respects human rights and fundamental freedoms. Across these areas, we recognize the importance of cooperation and inclusive dialogue. President, the EU continues to protect and promote human rights both at home and abroad. We recognize that no country has an ideal human rights record, and that we all have work to do. For our part, we remain open to constructive criticism, dialogue, and learning from others. This includes cooperating fully with the UN human rights mechanisms. All 27 EU member states have issued a standing invitation to the UN special procedures. We urge others to do the same. The Universal Periodic Review is a unique tool, and we must continue to safeguard it as a credible, inclusive, universal, and effective mechanism that enjoys the participation of all States. President, cooperation is vital, but at the same time, the world cannot turn a blind eye to serious human rights violations and abuses. taking place around the world. That is why the Council’s responsibility to respond to serious human rights situations remains a crucial part of its mandate. The majority of the Council’s country-specific resolutions were adopted by consensus, including the EU-led resolutions on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the DPRK. The resolutions on the situation in Georgia and Syria were also adopted by consensus. The EU also led initiatives in the Council to address grave human rights situations in the Russian Federation, Belarus, Burundi, and Eritrea, renewing important mandates. The European Union supported the renewal of the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in Ukraine, stemming, remember, from the Russian illegal war of aggression, which is essential to document and preserve evidence of Russia’s war crimes and human rights violations and ensure justice and accountability. Last year, the European Union also supported the Council's response to the reports of alarming human rights violations in Sudan, including the decision for an urgent inquiry into alleged violations and abuses in El Fasher. These efforts, colleagues, do not diminish national responsibility. Rather, they support states in meeting their international obligations. Sovereign quality and noninterference in internal affairs do not exempt states from their obligations under international law. Protecting the UN human rights system also requires support for other institutions that uphold international law. And let me therefore reaffirm our wavering support for the international criminal justice system, including the International Criminal Court. President, The current global context makes the work of the Human Rights Council all the more necessary. It must be equipped to perform its functions and its mandates, must be adequately staffed and resourced. The UNAD initiative is an opportunity to improve the effectiveness and impact of the UN. We support these efforts, but stress that reform must strengthen, not weaken, the human rights pillar, given how woefully underfunded it is already. and given its critical role. The Council and OHCHR need adequate, predictable, increased, and sustainable funding. We welcome efforts to improve working methods and to rationalize initiatives, but underlying that such efforts must be inclusive, balanced, and shared by all. Finally, Mr. President, in closing, 20 years after its establishment, the Human Rights Council remains a vital part of the multilateral system. The EU and its member states will continue to work with all states and partners to strengthen the Council, support its mechanisms, protect civil space, to ensure that it can deliver meaningful results for the people it exists to serve.

I thank the distinguished representative of European Union. I now invite the distinguished representative of Iceland. You have the floor, ma'am. Speaking on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries.

Mr. President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic Eight, the Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Iceland. Iceland and Estonia being current members of the Human Rights Council. I thank the President of the Human Rights Council for his presentation of the Council's report, which gives us an opportunity to discuss and reflect upon its work. Mr. President, the Nordic-Baltic countries attach great importance to the mandate of the Human Rights Council. We are firmly committed to promoting and protecting human rights for all people, everywhere and at all times. The Human Rights Council remains the principal intergovernmental body within the United Nations system responsible for this crucial agenda. It is a vital platform for dialogue on the importance of advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms, engaging States from all regions as well as civil society. This year, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Council. Over the past 20 years, the Council has clarified, developed, and strengthened human rights standards, accelerated the implementation of obligations, and promoted accountability. The Council's impact relies heavily on the work of its human rights mechanisms, the Universal Periodic Review, and the special procedures. By monitoring compliance, sounding early warnings on emerging crisis, and offering concrete recommendations, These mechanisms serve as the operational backbone of the Council’s mandate, translating global standards into real-world accountability. At a time when multilateralism faces unprecedented pressure, the Council’s mandate remains more relevant than ever. Mr. President, the Human Rights Council adopted important resolutions over the past year, addressing serious human rights situations around the world, including those relating to Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian territory, Sudan, Iran, and Afghanistan. In too many places, we continue to witness a blatant disregard for human rights and fundamental freedoms, which all States have a responsibility to respect, protect, and fulfill. Furthermore, the Nordic-Baltic countries attach great importance to the Council’s work to address systematic and widespread human rights violations, including gender-based discrimination and violence. The Council also plays an important role in addressing new and emerging human rights challenges, for example within the field of digital technologies. Mr. President, we must continue to advocate for adequate, sustainable, and predictable funding for the United Nations human rights pillar. We welcome calls to increase the Council’s efficiency in order to better fulfill its mandate, but this requires collective efforts from all Member States. Further strengthening complementarities and an effective division of labor between the Human Rights Council and the Third Committee remains essential. while also ensuring that the mandate, independence, and work of the Council is respected. Mr. President, our work in the Council must ultimately be measured by its impact on the lives of people on the ground. Improving the protection, dignity, and enjoyment of human rights must remain our shared objective. The Nordic-Baltic countries will continue to stand up for those whose human rights are under threat or being violated. We encourage all UN Member States to fulfil their human rights obligations, to progress towards our common goal of advancing the dignity and equality of everyone. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Iceland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Liechtenstein.

President, we thank the President of the Human Rights Council for presenting a comprehensive and informative account of the Council’s work. This year marks the 20th anniversary since the establishment of the Human Rights Council. The Council, as the United Nations’ central human rights body, has since played a crucial role in ensuring that States respect their obligations under international human rights law in preventing and responding to violations thereof. Earlier this year, the UN membership unanimously reaffirmed the status of the Human Rights Council as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly. And while we understand that many of us would have preferred an upgrade to this status, Liechtenstein welcomed these discussions as a timely opportunity to reaffirm our strong and principled support for the important work of the Council. Unfortunately, the human rights pillar, including the work of the Council, has also been increasingly challenged and marginalized over recent years, inter alia due to the erosion of respect for international law, growing geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts, arising challenges due to climate change, and new and emerging technologies, the overlapping of many mandated activities, and chronic underfunding. The ongoing UNAD reform process has so far engaged only little with human rights issues, even though this remains the least funded pillar of the organization's work and, in view of many member states, the one most consistently overlooked in reform discussions. Liechtenstein believes this moment calls for more deliberate attention. Reform processes that leave the human rights pillar as an afterthought risk undermining, rather than strengthening, the mutually reinforcing nature of the UN’s three pillars. It is in this spirit that we have recently convened discussions to identify practical and politically viable pathways for strengthening the human rights system, both within the UNAD process and beyond. These conversations also addressed the relationship between New York and Geneva, and what practical steps could be taken to increase coherence and coordination. In this regard, we also welcome the ongoing HRC rationalization and efficiency process, which has already delivered tangible results over the course of the last sessions. These efforts undertaken in Geneva constitute a significant step in line with the roadmap put forward by the HRC and 3C Bureau. President, along with the highest number of armed conflicts since the establishment of the United Nations, we are also facing an unprecedented human rights crisis. We are pleased that the Council, despite the challenges previously outlined, managed to respond to these crises in a timely manner and pass a number of important resolutions. In the course of the year, the Human Rights Council has several times addressed the escalation of the situation in Iran and the Middle East, where civilian lives are heavily impacted by ongoing wars and repression. We particularly deplore the violent crackdown of peaceful protests by the Iranian security forces at the beginning of the year, likely resulting in crimes against humanity, including thousands of extrajudicial and arbitrary killings, as well as the increased use of the death penalty as a punishment for the exercise of fundamental freedoms. In light of the worsening situation in Sudan, the Human Rights Council held an urgent debate in July on the human rights situation in and around El Obeid, where around half a million civilians were at risk of large-scale atrocities. We reiterate our grave concern about external interference sustaining this conflict and underscore the need for accountability. With the International Criminal Court, the international community has created an institution that responds to the gravest crimes under international law and ensures that those responsible can be held to account where national systems are unable or unwilling to act. Liechtenstein reiterates its unwavering support for the Court and calls on all States to cooperate fully with it. President. Following the most recent report by the Secretary-General, we are alarmed by the rise in transnational repression, further facilitated by digital technologies for the purpose of surveillance, intimidation, and harassment of civil society actors and human rights defenders across borders. In this regard, we welcome the recent joint statement signed by over 130 special procedure mandate holders and members of treaty bodies, and echo their call for coordinated, rights-based, and victim-centered responses grounded in international law. At a time of heightened threat against civic space, Liechtenstein reiterates its commitment to protect, support, and ensure the safe, meaningful, and unhindered engagement of civil society representatives with the United Nations. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Liechtenstein. I now invite the distinguished representative of Egypt to make a statement.

Mr. President, Egypt welcomes the President of the Human Rights Council and the discussion of the Council's annual report. We commend Indonesia's distinguished leadership of the Human Rights Council over the past year. As a current member of the Human Rights Council, and as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of its establishment, Egypt reaffirms its commitment to continue contributing actively to strengthening the Council's role and its capacity to fulfill its mandates based on the principles of universality, objectivity, and non-selectivity, and within a framework of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual In this context, the credibility of the human rights system requires that the same standards be applied to all, free from politicization or double standards. Furthermore, all human rights components, namely economic, social, and cultural rights, the right to development, and civil and political rights, must receive equal attention, commitment, and encouragement, without discrimination or any hierarchy that lack an objective or legal basis. Accordingly, We welcome the attention of the Council this year on issues of broad global concern, issues that reflect an enduring commitment to multilateralism. These include the impact of artificial intelligence on human rights, human rights in the context of conflict and terrorism, the human rights implications of climate change, incitement to hatred based on religion or belief, and the challenges faced by women, children, young people, and persons with disabilities, areas in which Egypt has consistently taken a proactive, leadership-oriented stance in the Council. In this regard, Egypt reaffirms its support for constructive proposals aimed at enhancing the Council’s working methods and operational efficiency, while simultaneously upholding the discretion of states and their sovereign right to manage the resolutions they table. The Universal Periodic Review, a process Egypt has undergone four times to date, serves as a cornerstone for dialogue and cooperation among states on an equal footing. It is essential to preserve the universal nature of this mechanism, ensure continued engagement with it, and strengthen the technical assistance provided to developing nations to support the implementation of the recommendations they have accepted. We also call for promoting technical assistance and capacity building in line with the priorities of the countries concerned and in consultation with them. We also underscore the important role of special procedure mandate holders, while emphasizing that they must carry out their duties with independence and objectivity, strictly within the scope of their respective mandates and in accordance with the relevant codes of conduct. Egypt calls upon the General Assembly to support the Human Rights Council as a subsidiary organ and to address the challenges it faces. This is essential to ensure the fulfillment of its mandates, the equitable participation of developing countries in its work, and the achievement of a tangible, positive impact on the lives of people. In conclusion, Mr. President, the Palestinian question remains a critical test for the credibility of this entire system. Egypt underscores the need for translating the Council's resolutions concerning the occupied Palestinian territory into effective measures that guarantee the protection of the Palestinian people. We reject the displacement of Palestinians from their land under any pretext. It is imperative to create the conditions necessary for early recovery and reconstruction. We condemn settlement expansion, settler violence, and annexation measures in the West Bank. We reaffirm that ending the occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination is the foundation for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt. I now invite the distinguished representative of Maldives.

Thank you, Mr. President. Every state has the sovereign right to shape its own future. The Maldives has made a clear choice to stand on the side of human rights. That choice begins with the people, their dignity, their freedoms, their right to live in peace and prosperity. The true test of human rights system is simple. Can it help stop the violations? I thank the President of the Human Rights Council for its comprehensive report and leadership. Human Rights Council remains a crucial platform for dialogue to advance human rights and address violations. 20 years on, it has achieved much, yet a difficult truth remains. Our standards are universal. Our responses are not always so. The Council must become consistent, more inclusive, and more effective. That is the vision that the Maldives brings to its candidature to the Human Rights Council for the term 2028-2030. If elected, the Maldives will build on that contribution. First, consistency and accountability. The seriousness of a violation must determine the Council's response, not the political influence of those involved. The Maldives will defend independence of human rights mechanisms, press for timely follow-up to their findings and support credible action where grave violations persist. This includes accountability for grave violations committed by Israel against Palestinians, including in Gaza. Second, implementation. The fourth universal periodic review of the Maldives last year reminded us how demanding implementation can be. especially for small states. The Maldives will continue with championing national implementation plans that with clear responsibilities and timelines and stronger national mechanisms to follow up. Third, practical cooperation and universal participation. Every state has a responsibility to protect its people and must have the capacity to fulfill that responsibility too. The Maldives will continue to advocate targeted technical assistance, stronger links between human rights recommendations and development report, and practical financing for LDCs SEEDS Trust Fund. Fourth, protecting rights as new pressures deepen old inequalities. The Maldives will continue to advance the rights of women, children, and older persons, inclusion of persons with disabilities, and human rights responses to climate change. We will promote safeguard against discrimination and abuse in digital spaces. Fifth, the international community must The international community too often acts only after warning signs have been ignored, violations have escalated, and lives have been lost. The Maldives will continue to support earlier engagement, stronger coordination between the Council and the wider UN system, and practical assistance to address the underlying causes of violations Prevention must always begin with the values societies cultivate, including respect, tolerance, and human dignity. Respect for the dignity and equal worth of every person is one of the strongest defenses against discrimination, hatred, violence, intolerance, and violence. The Maldives will therefore promote education, dialogue, and institutions that cultivate respect. The Council must be as committed to preventing violations and it is to responding to them. The Council does not need more promises that end in Geneva. It needs

I thank the distinguished representative of Maldives. I now invite the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, allow me at the outset to express Indonesia's appreciation to the President of Human Rights Council, Ambassador Sidarto Reza Suryadipuro, for his leadership in steering the Committee of the Human Rights Council, and the Council's Bureau for their substantial role to the work of the Council during this difficult year. In the face of conflict and crisis proliferation, as well as UN liquidity crisis, we commend that the Council managed to deliver relevant new resolutions, including in area of health, protections of humanitarian personnel, technology, and AI. to address urgent international matters, and to promote meaningful participation of all. The Council’s report reflects these important achievements. Our collective task now is to turn its decisions into meaningful action and tangible progress on the ground. In this regard, allow me to emphasize the following points. First, efforts to enhance the efficiency of the Human Rights Council must not come at the expense of the core mandates of the Council. Concrete and impactful work, such as technical assistance and capacity building, particularly to support countries in need and those requesting it, must be guaranteed. We also encourage the effective use of technology to improve inclusivity and accessibility, better inform member states and stakeholders, and where appropriate, automate the work of the Council. Second, we reaffirm the principles of universality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization of all human rights. Human rights bodies and mechanisms must abide to a universal accountability, ensuring that their works promote constructive dialogues, uphold mutual respects and cultural sensitivity, and preserve the integrity, impartiality, and credibility of the human rights system. On the other hand, Member States and all stakeholders must respect their mandates, maintain their independence, and refrain from measures against the fulfillment of their duties. We reiterate our unequivocal commitment to the right to development and call for stronger international solidarity and a stronger foundation for its effective implementation. Third, we must turn constraint into opportunity to reform the Council for the better. We support efforts to further enhance the Council's responsiveness to global issues. We also commend the initiative to pursue consolidation in all levels, fostering coordination and cooperation at a time of growing calls for multilateral reform. Mr. President, as we look ahead, we encourage the Council to sustain and build upon initiatives that foster bridge-building, dialogue, and consensus-building, ensuring that such positive practices continue to strengthen the effectiveness and credibility of its work. We believe that human rights must unite rather than divide us. I assure you of Indonesia's enduring commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and to working constructively with all partners to advance human dignity, equality, and justice for all. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Indonesia, and I now invite the distinguished representative of Portugal.

Mr. President, Mr. President of the Human Rights Council, Portugal aligns with the statement of the European Union. Allow me to start by thanking Ambassador Soryo Di Puro for presenting the Human Rights Council report and for his tireless work and dedication as President of the Human Rights Council. Mr. President, Portugal remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. At a time of heightened international instability, protracted conflicts, and growing pressure on multilateral institutions, the work of the Human Rights Council remains indispensable. The protection of human rights is not separate from the pursuit of peace and security or the achievement of sustainable development. It is essential for both. The credibility of the Human Rights Council depends on its ability to fulfill its mandate with independence, impartiality, and consistency. It also depends on the Council's ability to ensure that all human rights are addressed on an equal footing and that polarization is overcome. To enable the Human Rights Council to fulfill its mandate, we must preserve the integrity of the international human rights system and protect the independence of its mechanisms and experts, including against personal attacks and intimidation. We must also strengthen cooperation to ensure that commitments undertaken by member states translate into tangible action for the benefit of all. In this regard, Portugal reiterates its concern over the chronic underfunding of the United Nations human rights pillar, both for the activities of the HRC and for the implementation of human rights mandates. We call for the reversion of this trend. Portugal also reiterates its support for elevating the Human Rights Council to the status of a principal organ of the UN. reflecting the fundamental importance of the human rights pillar alongside peace and security and development. In this context, we encourage efforts for better coordination between Geneva and New York. Mr. President, this year, our engagement in the Council has sought to advance a comprehensive, inclusive, and mutually reinforcing human rights agenda. In January, Portugal organized a briefing on economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development, which enabled a frank and informal cross-regional discussion with positive results. We thank you, Mr. President, for your participation in this event. At its 61st session, Portugal presented, alongside Brazil, the triennial resolution on mental health and human rights, adopted by consensus. Furthermore, Portugal joined the cross-regional initiative that led to the adoption of a resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights and implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Portugal also continued committed to promoting international cooperation and capacity building. In July, the Council adopted a resolution on technical assistance and capacity building for member states of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, as you also referred to in your initial presentation. We attach particular importance to this initiative, which strengthens cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and supports national capacities to implement international human rights obligations. These include strengthening national human rights institutions, improving reporting and follow-up mechanisms, promoting human rights education, and facilitating access to relevant materials in Portuguese. We regard such cooperation as an important means of translating shared commitments into effective national action. Finally, Portugal presented the resolution which renewed the important mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, established 20 years ago following a Portuguese initiative. Mr. President, at the national level, Portugal continues to strengthen coordination across public institutions to ensure the implementation of its international human rights commitments. In 2026, the Portugal's National Human Rights Commission continued its work on implementation, reporting, and follow-up, including preparations for the mid-term report under the fourth cycle of the UPR. This work builds on Portugal's review in 2024 and reflects our commitment to sustain follow-up, institutional coordination, and the effective implementation of obligations and recommendations. As we approach the conclusion of the fourth cycle, we reaffirm the importance of protecting the integrity and universality of this exercise. To conclude, Portugal will continue to work with all Member States and relevant stakeholders to ensure that human rights remain a central pillar of the UN. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Portugal, and I now invite the distinguished representative of the State of Qatar.

Mr. President, I wish first and foremost to welcome the President of the Human Rights Council. We wish to thank you for your briefing. The State of Qatar remains committed to the protection and promotion of human rights as a key pillar. As part of this policy and national priorities, we have established a National Action Plan on Human Rights for the 2026-2030 period. This is a national framework for coordination amongst the stakeholders at the national level with the aim of promoting and protecting human rights. Turning to the results obtained in the protection and promotion of human rights, we have promulgated Law 22, dating 2025, on persons with disabilities, and this law facilitates their reintegration into society. The Ministry for Labour, through the National Committee to Counter Human Trafficking, has launched an action plan to counter this scourge for the period 2024-2026. We stress the importance of this matter, and in this regard, we are hosting the UN Centre for Training and Documentation of human rights for the South Asia and Arab regions. Present-day crises are highlighting the paramount need to strengthen the role of both the Council and its work. Our participation, that of the Council for 2025-2027, reflects our commitment and our contribution to enhancing the work of the Council. Mr. President, through our international efforts in accordance with human rights conventions and treaties, we have been holding discussions recently about the reports related to the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on Persons with Disabilities. We will soon be submitting our EPU, UPR, our Universal Periodic Review for the period 2026 to 2029. The resolutions adopted by the Human Rights Council, specifically resolution 61/1, is a key component addressing the consequences of the unjustified attacks by Iran, by Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This was adopted in March of 2026, and this resolution condemns all violations of international law, specifically international humanitarian law and international human rights law, emanating from the attacks perpetrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran, specifically those targeting civilians and those targeting civilian infrastructure and goods, as well as the prejudice to the exercise of human rights and the right to having a safe, clean, sustainable environment. The State of Qatar is continuing to undertake efforts to address the escalation, and in this regard, alongside our partners, we are undertaking efforts to arrive at a peaceful settlement for the preservation of security, peace, and stability within our region. Mr. President. The Security Council report also has a resolution related to the rights of Palestinian peoples to self-determination, reaffirming the inalienable, permanent and unconditional right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to dignity. We reaffirm our solidarity with the fraternal Palestinian people. And we welcome the resolution of the General Assembly 80/287 on the status of the Human Rights Council adopted by consensus in July of 2026, which keeps the Human Rights Council as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly. We reaffirm our unstinting commitment to continue to advance a proactive role to support the Council in order to guarantee protection and promotion of human rights for all. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the State of Qatar, and I now give the floor to the representative of Bahrain.

Mr. President, I deliver this statement on behalf of the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, and my country, the Kingdom of Bahrain. We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency, the President of the Human Rights Council, for his presentation. In this context, the GCC countries place the promotion and protection of human rights as its top priority, and it is committed in its international collective initiatives in humanitarian development and human rights initiatives to place human rights in the core. We maintain our cooperation and dialogue with human rights mechanisms on human rights and with member states. The GCC countries have a track record in providing development, humanitarian, and relief assistance to alleviate suffering and the impact of conflicts globally. This stems from the teachings of Islam, the teachings that stress the fraternity and support. Our countries have implemented many initiatives and are taking lots of efforts in this respect. As we discuss this item today, we cannot ignore the aggravating challenges and the increasing humanitarian crises faced with our world today, in particular in the Middle East. The GCC countries have been subject of unjustified attacks by Iran, the attacks that have not respected the viability of civilian infrastructure and civilians. This included hospitals, schools, and infrastructure in serious violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the principles of good neighborliness. In this context, we highlight the Council 61/1 that is into the consequences on human rights of the unjustified attacks by Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, and UAE, and Jordan. This resolution was adopted by the Council on March 25, 2026, by consensus. This resolution demonstrates the clear international stance on the humanitarian and rights consequences of these attacks. Mr. President, our countries stress the condemnation of the missile attacks and attacks by drones targeting our territories. and the damages and loss of lives it caused, as well as the damages to civilian infrastructure and vital infrastructure, including ports, airports, oil facilities, energy facilities, desalination plants, residential neighborhoods, and the facilities for food production and distribution. We reiterate that the impacts of these attacks and the Iranian threat go beyond our countries. They affect basic human rights, including the right to food. As a result of the threat to the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and obstructing the movement of fertilizers and main inputs for agricultural production, the SG warned against these repercussions on food production globally, in particular in developing countries. This is a threat to the stability of life for millions. resolution called for the immediate cessation of all attacks and provocations against our countries. It called on Iran to uphold and implement the resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 2817, which condemned in the strongest terms the attacks by Iran. with missiles and drones against our territories and against Jordan. It reiterated its support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our countries. Our countries call on international community to ensure the full implementation of the provisions of these resolutions and maintain efforts to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure the non-recurrence of these attacks, and promote the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of these states and maintain the maritime freedom and security. In conclusion, our countries reiterate their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter: peaceful resolution of disputes and diplomacy, and we reiterate that achieving sustainable peace and security require the respect for international law and refraining from any acts that undermine the life of civilians or international peace and security. Thank you, Mr. President.

I now turn to the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. As a member of the Human Rights Council, Mexico is particularly grateful for the presentation of this report for the 2025-2026 cycle and recognizes the work of its presidency, the members of the Council, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The report reflects the valuable and substantive work carried out during the Council's ordinary and special sessions. The resolutions and decisions adopted on a wide range of human rights issues, including thematic mandates, specific country situations, and technical assistance and capacity-building processes, contribute to the progressive development of international human rights law. In the context of the Council's 20th anniversary, Mexico recognizes its fundamental role in strengthening the international human rights protection architecture. We particularly highlight its ability to respond to situations requiring urgent attention, as well as the work of its special procedures and investigative mechanisms, which contribute to the prevention of violations, accountability, and the strengthening of national capacities. In an international context marked by growing challenges to the protection of human rights, it is essential to reaffirm the importance of multilateralism, preserve the integrity of the Council, the independence of its mechanisms, and its ability to effectively fulfill its mandates, including in close cooperation with the States cooperating with the international human rights system. Mexico recognizes the efforts undertaken to improve the efficiency of the Council’s working methods in light of current financial constraints. We emphasize, however, that any streamlining measures must preserve the effectiveness of its mandates and its ability to respond sustainably to human rights challenges. Mexico recognizes the development of the Human Rights Council Mapper as a tool to facilitate informed decision-making regarding the Council’s mandates and activities, identify possible duplications, and assess their budgetary implications. We consider it important to promote its linkage with the Mandate Registry Platform of the UN80 Initiative in order to foster a comprehensive and coherent view of the Organization’s work. We also encourage its dissemination and presentation to delegations in New York so that it may also contribute to the deliberations of the General Assembly. We also reiterate the importance of ensuring the meaningful and safe participation of civil society, indigenous peoples, national human rights institutions, and human rights defenders, free from intimidation or reprisals. Mexico reaffirms its commitment to the Universal Periodic Review as an essential mechanism for constructive dialogue and cooperation among States, whose recommendations contribute to strengthening national protection systems. Finally, the Council’s 20th anniversary calls upon us to renew our collective commitment to its mission. For Mexico, the measure of its success must be its ability to translate dialogue and cooperation into concrete actions that prevent violations, address the needs of victims, and improve people's lives. This must be the priority at all times. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico, and I shall now give the floor to the distinguished.

Representative of the Dominican Republic.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. We thank the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryadipuro, for presenting this report and for his leadership of this important United Nations body. The Dominican Republic reaffirms its firm commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as its strong support for multilateralism, dialogue, and international cooperation. On 13 October, our country was re-elected to serve on the Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term. We assume this responsibility with renewed commitment, convinced that our presence on this body should contribute to ensuring that its decisions translate into concrete progress for people. During this new mandate, we will continue to promote human rights, education, equality and non-discrimination, the rights of women and girls, youth participation, and the protection of persons in vulnerable situations. Mr. President, in an international context marked by growing challenges to the protection of human rights, we consider it essential to strengthen the response capacity of our institutions and to promote international cooperation based on the principles of universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of all human rights. One of our priorities will be to continue promoting greater attention to the impact of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly in the face of rising sea levels. As a small island developing State, the Dominican Republic recognizes that this reality represents a growing threat to coastal communities, to their livelihoods, access to housing, essential services, and, in certain cases, the very ability of people to remain on their land. In this regard, together with other States committed to this agenda, we will contribute to strengthening international attention to the human rights consequences of sea level rise, from a perspective that is centred on people, human dignity and international cooperation. Mr. President, The resolutions adopted by this Council reflect important collective efforts to respond to contemporary challenges. Their effective implementation requires political will, strong institutions, technical cooperation, and monitoring mechanisms that make it possible to translate international commitments into tangible improvements in people's lives. Experience reminds us that the protection of human rights requires shared responsibility among States, international organizations, and civil society, whose participation is essential for building inclusive and sustainable responses. In conclusion, Mr. President, the Dominican Republic reiterates its commitment to a strong, credible, and effective Human Rights Council. capable of promoting dialogue, strengthening cooperation, and contributing to the building of consensus based on respect for human dignity. Thank you very much, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of the Dominican.

Republic, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. South Africa thanks the President of the Human Rights Council, my dear brother Ambassador Sidarto Reja Soerodipuro, for his presentation, and indeed we welcome the reports and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council between 2025 and 2026, covering the period from the 19th Organizational Meeting to the 62nd session. We salute the Human Rights Council on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of its establishment for its numerous achievements in fulfilling its mandate of the promotion and protection of human rights norm and standard-setting, human rights monitoring, including through the Universal Periodic Review. We specifically commend the Council for its continued efforts to address a wide range of human rights challenges through its various mechanisms. The decisions adopted during this reporting period reflect the Council's responsiveness to emerging human rights concerns and its commitment to advancing the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people everywhere across the globe. This in the context of a pushback against human rights in particular, intersecting forms of human rights affecting vulnerable groups. Mr. President, South Africa reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the international human rights instruments that form the foundation of the global human rights framework. We believe that the Human Rights Council remains a central pillar of the multilateral system and an indispensable platform for fostering international cooperation, mutual understanding, and collective action in support of human dignity and equality. The reports before us demonstrate the breadth and depth of the Council's work, including its contribution to addressing situations of concern, strengthening thematic human rights mandates, and supporting technical cooperation and capacity building. As we consider these decisions, we are reminded that the realization of human rights is inextricably linked to sustainable development, social justice, and the eradication of poverty, inequality, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. We therefore encourage the Council to continue promoting the integrated and balanced implementation of all human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the right to development. Mr. President, given the subsidiary status of the HRC, to the UNGA, it is important that we enhance coordination between these two bodies to ensure coherence and alignment between New York and Geneva, thus ensuring the efficient implementation of the human rights mandate. It is our considered view that the human rights pillar is disproportionately underfunded in comparison to the peace and security and development pillars. We would thus like to urge the Fifth Committee to give consideration to this matter in order to ensure predictable and adequate funding for the human rights pillar from the regular budget of the UN. In conclusion, South Africa remains committed to working constructively with all Member States and stakeholders to strengthen the effectiveness of the HRC in order to promote equality, freedom, justice, and human dignity for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of South Africa. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guatemala.

Thank you, Mr. President. Guatemala would like to thank the President of the Human Rights Council for presenting the report, and we recognize the important work that this body does as the principal intergovernmental forum of the United Nations for the promotion and protection of human rights. Guatemala would highlight the valuable contributions of the Council and of the special procedures and of the treaty bodies and the universal periodic reviews to promote dialogue, international cooperation, and the strengthening of States' capabilities. In this context, the exchange of good practices and technical assistance of the international mechanisms can support national efforts to strengthen their institutions and facilitate the effective implementation of recommendations formulated to the address of Member States. Guatemala considers it's essential that the UN human rights system has the resources it needs to effectively carry out its mandates, and in this regard, we would note with particular attention the financial system difficulties that are being faced at the moment and the need to ensure that it can continue to work in a timely and sustainable manner. Likewise, we recognize the efforts of the Council to improve the coordination amongst all its components and promote a more efficient use of sustainable resources. These Initiatives should contribute to the sustainability of the system without undermining the independence of the mechanisms or limit their ability to implement the mandates given to them by member states. In our quality as observer in the Human Rights Council, Guatemala has actively participated in its work, and we reaffirm our preparedness to continue to work with Member States and with the relevant mechanisms to strengthen the pillar of human rights within the United Nations and also nationally. Guatemala reiterates once again our commitment to the protection of human rights and to the implementation of all of our national obligations.

I thank the representative of Guatemala, Adalain Oumal.

And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kuwait.

Said al-Rais to.

Mr. President, the State of Kuwait stresses that the promotion of protection of human rights and human dignity are not only principles in international instruments. They are obligations and responsibilities on all states without exception. They are the foundation to achieve peace, security, and stability. In this connection, we commend the vital role of the Human Rights Council. And we stress the importance of maintaining its credibility and ensure that it fulfils its mandate without selectivity, politicization, or double standards. The State of Kuwait thanks all Member States in the United Nations for their trust they placed on my country by electing it member in the Council from 2027 to 2029. This is a responsibility we take close to heart, and it makes it incumbent on us to maintain our constructive work to promote human rights. The State of Kuwait, since it joined the UN in 1963, it believed in the role of the organization in maintaining international peace and security and promote the principles of justice and the rule of law. And we reiterate our belief in multilateralism and that the Charter should be the main point of reference to be invoked by all states without exception. My country has always been a believer in the strength of international system that is measured by the respect for international law. The United Nations has not been established to witness the violations, but to provide the framework to prevent these violations. The respect for human rights loses its credibility when the violations pass unnoticed. Therefore, my country reiterates its condemnation in the strongest terms, the unprovoked, unjustified attacks by Iran against our country since February 28 of this year, which are serious violation to the sovereignty, territorial integrity of our country and serious violation to the Charter and rules of international law. These attacks targeted civilian and residential neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, ports, and energy facilities, as well as oil facilities, which threatened the lives of civilians and threatened their basic rights, including the right to life and safety. No military or political disagreement can justify an attack on Kuwait, this state that enjoys sovereignty. In this connection, Kuwait stresses the importance of fulfilling the Security Council Resolution 2817 and the Human Rights Council 61/1 adopted by consensus in the Security Human Rights Council on the impact of the unprovoked attacks by Iran on the GCC countries and Jordan. The adoption of this decision sends the signal that attacking the sovereignty of states cannot be justified under any pretext. The resolution called on Iran to cease its attacks and threats and provocations and provide redress for the damages caused by its internationally wrongful acts. My country stresses that those resolutions demonstrate a clear international position in relation to these attacks. The international responsibility does not stop at adopting these resolutions, but to ensure that they are implemented. Mr. President, Kuwait condemns the attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia, which targeted civilian and vital facilities, including ports, that killed civilians, we express our full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and we support all measures it takes to maintain its sovereignty, safety, and security. In conclusion, the election of Kuwait in the Human Rights Council is a commitment on our part to build a human rights system that is a world that is more safe and secure. There is no safety without justice, and there is no protection of human rights without respect for international law, and there is no credibility of international system if not applied equally on all without exception. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Kuwait, and I invite now the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset, my delegation wishes to thank the president of the Human Rights Council for presenting the report and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and to safeguard the dignity of all Syrians. Mr. President, following the liberation of Syria, it has embarked on a new chapter in its history, seeking to overcome the legacy of the past marked by systematic human rights violations and to build a future that guarantees justice, equality, and the enjoyment of all human rights by Syrian citizens. We have begun this journey by providing redress to victims and their families. clarifying the fate of missing persons, and creating the conditions necessary for the return of displaced persons. These efforts contribute to restoring trust among members of society, consolidating civil peace, and ensuring non-recurrence. We have established national bodies for transitional justice and missing persons, and have expanded cooperation with United Nations agencies and mechanisms, which now enjoy access for the first time in Syria’s modern history. This underscores the determination of Syria to achieve justice and rebuild national institutions in accordance with international human rights standards. Mr. President, we are fully aware that achieving this goal will not be easy. However, we have the political will, and we aspire for the international community to extend a helping hand to Syria through political, economic, and technical support. Mr. President, our people are resilient. They are capable of achieving the impossible. They have proven that to you and to everyone in history. Nevertheless, the current challenges are of a different nature, and they require concerted international efforts. We stand ready to cooperate with Member States, United Nations organizations, and agencies in advancing all initiatives that serve the interests of the Syrian people, particularly reconstruction, the creation of conditions conducive to dignified, voluntary, and sustainable return, and the provision of essential services and livelihoods necessary to ensure a decent life. Mr. President, these efforts face a serious challenge in the continuing Israeli incursions and violations in southern Syria, including the killing and intimidation of peaceful civilians, raids on homes, abductions, including of children, restrictions on freedom of movement, and the destruction of agricultural land, all of which threaten the security and livelihoods of local communities. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have reported approximately 280 Israeli incursions during this – the month of September. We reaffirm the importance of retaining agenda item 7. of the Human Rights Council as an essential framework for addressing the human rights situation in Palestine and in other occupied Arab territories, including the occupied Syrian Golan. In conclusion, we reiterate our call on the international community to bring pressure to bear on Israel, the occupying power, to immediately cease its incursions and attacks against Syria, withdraw from the areas it has entered since December 2024, fully respect the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, release abductees, and in particular, the minors, and end its occupation of the Syrian Golan in accordance with relevant resolutions of international legitimacy. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Sultanate of Oman.

Mr. President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, may the peace of God and His benedictions be upon you. I wish to voice our full appreciation for the Human Rights Council and the Human Rights Commissioner for the efforts undertaken for the protection and promotion of human rights throughout the world. The Sultanate of Oman reaffirms the fact that the resolution 61/4 reflects the violations perpetrated by the occupying Israeli power against international law and international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Palestine. We need to act at the international level so as to ensure that there be accountability. The Sultanate of Oman reaffirms the importance of safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their own state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and the two-state solution. Mr. President, strengthening human rights and ensuring protection and promotion thereof is a national and international responsibility. Upholding rights requires that there be a commitment to constructive dialogue, A commitment to the exchange of information and a commitment to avoidance of selectivity and politicization, as well as respect for the specificities of each state, while at the same time delivering technical support through our national efforts. And under our constitution, we offer guarantees or guaranties, equality and enjoyment of rights under our international commitments. We have been acting in accordance with our national 2040 vision, a vision 2040 through our cooperation with human rights mechanisms. We have submitted our fourth universal periodic review. which was the fruit of a process of large-scale consultations. We also welcome recommendations, implementation thereof in accordance with our international commitments. In this vein, the Decree 89/2025 reaffirms the commitment of the Sultanate of Oman to the right to cultural and civic rights, we shall continue to strengthen our legislation at the national level in accordance with our international commitments. To conclude, we stand ready to cooperate with the Council, with the High Commissioner, and with other United Nations mechanisms. in order to honor our international commitments, thereby protecting and promoting human rights at the international and national level and strengthening dignity for all. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the Sultanate of Oman.

Mr. President, Montenegro aligns with the EU statement and would like to make a few remarks in its national capacity. We thank the President of the Human Rights Council for presenting the report. As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Council, this is an important opportunity to reflect on its achievements and consider how to further strengthen its effectiveness, credibility, and institutional standing. In this regard, Montenegro continues to support the elevation of the Human Rights Council to a principal organ of the United Nations, reflecting the fundamental importance of human rights alongside peace and security and development. While acknowledging the outcome of the recent review of the council's status, we believe that its current institutional position should not be regarded as the final step. We also reiterate our principled position that, as a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council should report directly to the Assembly. Its annual report should therefore not be subject to a separate assessment or endorsement by the Third Committee. Avoiding such duplication is important for preserving Council's institutional integrity and ensuring greater coherence and efficiency within the United Nations system. At the same time, in current circumstances, Montenegro believes that stronger coordination between the Human Rights Council and the Third Committee can contribute to better cohesion across the UN human rights architecture. Without prejudice to their distinct mandates and institutional roles, we encourage more regular exchanges between their respective leaderships, including sharing of experiences and good practices. Such cooperation should strengthen complementarity, contribute to increased effectiveness, and ensure preservation of institutional memory and progress throughout the UN human rights system. Mr. President, Montenegro firmly believes that human rights are universal, indivisible, and interdependent. Their protection must never be selective or subject to political convenience. We welcome the Council’s continued attention to pressing human rights situations, including in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. We remain particularly alarmed by the devastating human rights consequences of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine and reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are equally concerned by growing attempts to undermine established international human rights standards, particularly those protecting individuals and groups facing discrimination. The Council must remain a forum where human rights protections are advanced, not weakened or challenged. Montenegro’s commitment is reflected in our active engagement in the Council’s work. In its recent 63rd session, we participated in interactive dialogues, supported joint initiatives, and co-sponsored resolutions addressing critical human rights challenges. We also contributed to an initiative highlighting the voices and contributions of persons with disabilities to cultural heritage and collective memory. Our commitment is equally reflected at a national level. In 2026, Montenegro adopted a new anti-discrimination law explicitly protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We also remain actively engaged in the Global Alliance for Human Rights, supporting collective efforts to strengthen the international human rights network. Mr. President, The effectiveness of this system depends on strong mandates, independent mechanisms, and adequate, predictable resources. As we advance the UNAD reform process, we must ensure that efforts to improve efficiency do not come at the expense of human rights protection. In this context, Montenegro reiterates its strong support for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. As a concrete demonstration of this commitment, we increased our voluntary contribution to OHCHR by 50% in 2026. 20 years after its establishment, our responsibility is not simply to preserve Council's achievements, but to ensure that it remains equipped to respond effectively to today's growing human rights challenges. Ultimately, strengthening of the Human Rights Council means strengthening the credibility of the United Nations itself. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Montenegro.

And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Yemen.

Mr. President, at the outset, my delegation wishes to commend the efforts of His Excellency Ambassador Siddhartha Raza, the President of the Human Rights Council, for the current session. Mr. President, the Government of Yemen welcomes the adoption by the Human Rights Council of resolution 63/33 on technical assistance and capacity building for Yemen in the field of human rights. It reaffirms its commitment to constructive cooperation with the National Commission of Inquiry into alleged human rights violations, with a view to strengthening the protection of human rights, upholding the rule of law in Yemen, ensuring accountability for perpetrators of such violations, and combating impunity. Mr. President, the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia continues to perpetrate grave violations and pursue military escalation in a number of governorates, including artillery and missile shelling and drone attacks targeting civilians, civilian and service infrastructure, IDP camps, and educational and humanitarian facilities. As part of this escalation, this militia also targeted the presidential palace in the provisional capital, Aden, by ballistic missiles and drones, resulting in the deaths and injuries. It also targeted Aden International Airport with ballistic missiles in more than six attacks during the current month. As a civilian facility serving millions of Yemenis, the airport’s targeting constitutes a serious threat to the safety of civil aviation and to the lives of passengers and personnel. It also disrupts travel, medical evacuations, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law international human rights law. The government further stresses that these attacks are not isolated incidents, but rather form a part of a systemic military escalation directed against state institutions, and civilian objects, placing civilian lives at risk. This escalation has resulted in civilian casualties, the displacement of thousands of families, and the identification of child recruits among those killed and injured. The Government of Yemen expresses its deep concern over the continuation of these violations in the absence of a firm international response commensurate with their gravity and the threat they pose to the lives and security of civilians. The Government also expresses its profound concern regarding the continued siege imposed by the Houthi terrorist militia on the city of Taiz, home to approximately 4 million people, which threatens to lead to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. The siege has exacerbated the humanitarian situation as a result of shelling targeting residential neighborhoods and the obstruction of access to essential supplies, including food, water, medicine, fuel, and health services. The government calls on the UN and international community to intensify their efforts and take urgent measures to lift the siege on Tays, open the roads, ensure safe and sustainable passage for civilian, the transport of wounded and the sick, and the delivery of essential supplies and humanitarian assistance to the population and health facilities without impediment. This is necessary to ensure the protection of civilians, alleviate their suffering, and hold those responsible for those violations accountable in accordance with international law, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. affirms the centrality of the Palestinian cause and renews its steadfast support for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. It calls for the end to the attacks by settlers and all annexation attempts as a violation to international law and they undermine the two-state solution and the prospect for peace in the region. We call on ending the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and repeated attacks against Syria. Mr. President, Yemen condemns the Iranian attacks against the GCC countries, Jordan and Iraq, using missiles and drones. as violation to their sovereignty and breach to international law and UN Charter. We hold the Iranian regime for responsibility for these attacks. We reject the attacks to close the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb using their arms in the Houthi militia. These are threats to international peace and security, the freedom of international navigation. Yemen condemns in the strongest terms the he attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

The mic is cut off.

I thank the representative of the Republic of Yemen.

To the distinguished representative of Mongolia.

Mr. President, I thank the President of HRC for presenting its report and commend the work of the Council, its mechanisms, and the OHCHR. The year marked significant milestones in the international human rights system, the 20th anniversary of HRC. 60 years since the adoption of ICCPR and ICSCR, and 50 years since their entering to force. We also commemorate 40 years of declaration on the right to development and 20 years since the adoption of CRPD and ICPD. These milestones remind us that our collective responsibility extends beyond setting international standards. to ensuring their effective implementation. Mr. President, Mongolia welcomes the Council's continued attention to longstanding and emerging human rights challenges. Its 63rd session addressed important issues, including the right to development, youth and human rights, accessibility, national human rights institution, and the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. We particularly welcome its attention to human rights implication of AI and the rights of women and girls in the context of digital technologies. Technological progress should expand opportunities while protecting equality, privacy, and human dignity. Education and literacy are essential in this regard. Mongolia has designated 2026 as the year to support education and continues to champion biennial GA resolution, literacy for life, shaping future agendas. Literacy, including digital literacy, is fundamental to equal opportunity and meaningful participation. Mongolia has consistently championed the advancement of women and empowerment of women and girls. Recent legislative and policy reforms, including strengthened family legislation and electoral gender quotas, reflect this commitment. Complementing these national efforts, Mongolia has hosted a series of international forums In Ulaanbaatar, dedicated to women's leadership, bringing together women peacekeepers, foreign ministers, entrepreneurs, and parliamentarians. Most recently, this October, we hosted the World Women Parliamentarians Forum under the theme from representation to influence in decision making process. Moreover, in August, Mongolia hosted UNCCD COP 17 under the theme Restoring Land, Restoring Hope. Mr. President, Mongolia attaches particular importance to UPR as a universal state-led and cooperative mechanism for advancing human rights. Following our fourth review in 2025, Mongolia supported 192 recommendations and partially supported one. In March this year, the Government approved a four-year action plan for their implementation. demonstrating our commitment to translating international recommendations into national action. Our cooperation with the United Nations human rights system was further strengthened by the official visit of High Commissioner Walker Turk in May this year, during which Mongolia and his office signed a declaration of intent and roadmap towards establishing a UN Human Rights Training and Research Center in Ulaanbaatar. Mr. President, an effective Human Rights Council must be complemented by a strong and independent human rights treaty body system. We support practical reform aimed at improving efficiency, coherence, harmonization of working methods, while fully safeguarding the independence and integrity of treaty bodies and their respective mandates. Amid ongoing financial constraints, It is essential that UN human rights mechanisms have sufficient resources to fulfill their mandates effectively. As Mongolia marks 65 years of UN membership, we reaffirm our commitment to constructive dialogue, cooperation, and the effective implementation of shared human rights obligations. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Mongolia.

I shall now invite the distinguished representative of Mali.

Mr. President, our delegation takes note of the report of the Human Rights Council. We wish to deliver the following remarks and observations in our national capacity. We remain fully committed to the protection and the promotion of human rights. Insofar as it is in alignment with our history and our culture, we have always viewed life as being sacred, and human rights need to be scrupulously upheld, including in times of war and conflict. The Charter proclaimed is one of our oldest constitutions in the world. This African Charter in 236 set out the core principles of political, institutional, organizing, and administrative basis for the kingdom, as well as rules for the operations of society, including the relationship between men and women, issues related to basic freedoms, and governance. as well as environmental management and sustainable development. This was our first, very first human rights declaration, and Crime had been prohibited at the time, as the basic rights of every human being was scrupulously upheld, including in times of conflict under that charter. Strict respect for these ancestral vials is the cement of social cohesion and institutional stability of the empire. Mali upheld human rights at least six centuries before colonization. The importance of these historical documents has prompted our government to inscribe the Demande Charter and make list of immaterial culture, cultures of heritage of humanity in the UNESCO list before placing it as cultural heritage. We are continuing to undertake efforts to have the Kuk N Fuga Charter be inscribed on the list of heritage of humanity. I have this dwelled on history to show how committed our government is to respect for human rights. This legacy of great empires and kingdoms was enshrined in all of our constitutions beginning with our independence from independence in 1962 to the present day. In our constitution, we are a haven of peace and a model of democracy, human rights, and basic freedoms. And yet, since the military intervention of NATO in Libya in 2011, Mali and other countries in the Sahel region have been facing the most heinous crimes emanating from terrorism, violent extremism, drugs trafficking, trafficking human persons, and money laundering. Never had my country experienced such atrocities, never had our region had so many refugees and IDPs. In order to counter these organized transnational crimes, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger established an alliance of states of the Sahel, we welcome the determination of defense and security forces. They are working together to build security and establish authority of the state throughout our territory, which is the prerequisite for upholding human rights and civic rights. Despite the cowardly attacks perpetrated by terrorist groups and foreign intervention, the brave confederal defense forces trained in IHL and human rights, they remain professional in conducting operations on the ground. Just as The judiciary systematically seized of matters and counters impunity. Mali is open to engaging in all forms of cooperation in these realms, including with technical, material, and other support, but in strict respect for our sovereignty, the choice of partners, and upholding the interests of our Malian people. We reaffirm our full commitment of the Government to the protection of civilians and their property, as well as to the respect and enforcement of respect for human rights and IHL throughout our national territory. And Mali, at the same time, profoundly objects to the manipulation of the question of human rights, manipulation for political purposes. And I wish to conclude with a tribute to all the victims of the Malian civilian and military crisis from foreign and and Malian citizens. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Mali, and I shall now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.

Mr. President, Malaysia expresses its appreciation to the President of the Human Rights Council, His Excellency Mr. Sidarto Riza Suryodipuro, and the Bureau for their continued efforts amid increasingly complex global challenges and financial constraints facing the United Nations. As we commemorate the Council's 20th anniversary, Malaysia reaffirms its importance as a platform for constructive dialogue and cooperation in promoting and protecting human rights. The milestone also offers an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and address challenges affecting its credibility and effectiveness. Malaysia welcomes the Council’s progress, particularly the adoption by consensus of resolution 61/19 on promoting human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals through transparent, accountable and efficient public service delivery, an initiative Malaysia has consistently supported. We also welcome the consensus achieved on the protection of humanitarian personnel in armed conflict, an initiative co-led by Malaysia at the Council’s 62nd session. These outcomes demonstrate the value of constructive engagement and compromise. Nevertheless, Malaysia remains concerned over the growing polarization, politicization, and selectivity within the Council. Persistent attempts to reinterpret established human rights principles and introduce controversial concepts not grounded in internationally agreed human rights instruments without due regard for national and regional particularities risk deepening divisions and undermining the universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interrelatedness of human rights. The Council must remain guided by universality, impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity, and constructive dialogue. Mr. President, Malaysia firmly believes that all human rights violations must be addressed with equal urgency and determination, regardless of where they occur. We remain appalled by the continuing violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The Council must continue to demand accountability for these violations and ensure that the rights of the Palestinian people are fully respected and protected. Similarly, the long-standing plight of the Rohingya people must not be overlooked. Malaysia reiterates the importance of according equal attention to all human rights, including the right to development, as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. We remain concerned that long-standing priorities, including the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance under the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and addressing the negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures on human rights continue to face resistance within the Council. In this regard, Malaysia regrets the departure from the Council's long-standing practice of consensus on the resolution concerning racism and racial discrimination during its 63rd session. Combating racism should remain a shared commitment pursued through genuine dialogue and compromise rather than overshadowed by political divisions. Mr. President, the Council’s growing workload, compounded by United Nations’ liquidity crisis, continues to challenge its effectiveness. While Malaysia recognises the need to rationalise its programme of work and optimise limited resources, such efforts must not compromise meaningful participation, substantive negotiations, and consensus-building, particularly for smaller delegations. We therefore call for a balanced approach that avoids duplication, streamlines reporting requirements, and safeguards technical assistance and capacity building, particularly for developing countries. Malaysia further emphasizes the need to strengthen coordination and synergies between the Human Rights Council and General Assembly, particularly the Third Committee. Greater coherence and complementarity should be pursued through a holistic approach that recognizes the interlinked and mutually reinforcing nature of the three pillars of the United Nations, namely peace and security, development, and human rights. Malaysia remains committed to constructive engagement with the Council and its mechanisms, and to supporting the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. As an aspiring candidate for membership of the Council for the term 2030-2032, Malaysia looks forward to continuing its contribution towards strengthening the Council's credibility, effectiveness, and responsiveness to global human rights challenges. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Malaysia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Croatia.

Thank you, Mr. President. Croatia welcomes the President of the Human Rights Council and thanks him for presenting the Council's annual report to the UN General Assembly. Croatia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union on behalf of its member states and would like to make some additional remarks in our national capacity. 20 years since its establishment, and at a time when multilateralism is under growing pressure, the Human Rights Council remains central to our collective efforts to promote and protect human rights. This anniversary is an opportunity to recognize its achievements, but also to consider where our commitments have yet to translate into meaningful protection. The Council’s relevance rests on its impact on people’s lives. lives, its credibility depends on our willingness to address violations consistently and to follow through on the recommendations of its mechanisms. Mr. President, Croatia remains a firm supporter of the Universal Periodic Review, which does much more than just train delegates to deliver statements in 30 seconds. Its strength is precisely its universality, showing that every state has room to improve. The value of the UPR lies also in what happens between reviews, and in whether those whose rights are at stake can see and help shape that progress. We express support to the Council’s special procedures. Their independent expertise, country management and direct contact with rights holders are indispensable to the UN human rights system. They draw attention to violations that might otherwise remain overlooked, and provide early warnings that should inform our preventive action. Closer cooperation of the Council with not only the Third Committee, but with the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, can help translate human rights findings into earlier preventive action. Croatia continues to advocate an integrated approach across the UN's three pillars, recognizing that respect for human rights is essential to preventing atrocities and sustaining peace. Likewise, civil society participation is essential to ensuring that our deliberations remain connected to realities on the ground. Mr. President, 20 years on, our task is to ensure that the Council's work reaches those who need it most. Croatia remains committed to supporting a Council that is principled, responsive, and equipped to fulfil its mandate. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Croatia.

I shall now give the floor to the representative of the Philippines.

Mr. President, the Philippines thanks the HRC President for the presentation of the Council's annual report. We acknowledge the important work of the Human Rights Council in advancing human rights. The Philippines attaches great importance to the promotion and protection of all human rights. This commitment is enshrined in our constitution, reflected in our international obligations, and a central guiding consideration in our national laws and policies. Internationally, the Philippines continues to constructively contribute to the human rights agenda, leading efforts in the UN and other multilateral fora on the advancement of the rights of vulnerable peoples, including women and children, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, older persons, migrants and seafarers, and refugees. We also have continued to lead efforts on combating trafficking in persons, elucidating the links. between climate change and human rights and the promotion of inclusive social development. The Philippines emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and balanced approach to human rights, ensuring equal attention and commitment to all human rights, civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, and the right to development. We believe that the realization of human rights for all must find concrete translation in terms of improved lives and human dignity upheld. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. We highlight in this regard the need for continued attention to the conditions that enable individuals and communities to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural, and political development, as well as to addressing persistent inequalities, structural barriers, and capacity constraints. Mr. President, the UNHCR reform process presents an opportunity to strengthen the effectiveness, coherence, and impact of the UN human rights system. For the Philippines, this effectiveness is not measured by the number of resolutions adopted, reports submitted, or meetings convened. Its ultimate measure is in the meaningful and lasting improvements in people's lives. As our Foreign Secretary, Maria-Teresa Lazaro, mentioned here during the High-Level Week, behind every metric and policy we discuss are human lives. We emphasize in this regard the importance of constructive dialogue, technical cooperation, and capacity building in line with national needs and priorities. Where the international human rights system is harnessed to support national institutions and duty bearers in translating commitments into practical action on the ground, there lies the opportunity to make lasting, valuable contributions. Thus, the international community should prioritize and support and resources for technical cooperation and capacity building towards strengthening the capacities of national institutions in implementing their international human rights obligations. anchored in national priorities, fostered through constructive partnership, and centered on the national ownership while ensuring coherence, responsiveness, and sustained impact. We reiterate our belief that the credibility of the Human Rights Council rests on its ability to advance all human rights through constructive dialogue and cooperation, guided by the core principles of objectivity and non-selectivity. and to ensure that its work contributes to tangible improvements in human dignity and well-being. The Philippines reaffirms its commitment to constructive engagement with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, and to working with all partners toward a human rights system that is inclusive, balanced, and effective. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of the Philippines.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Very pleased to see you in the chair. We thank the President of the Human Rights Council for comprehensive presentation of his report and recognize the Council's continued engagement in addressing global human rights challenges. Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the Human Rights Council as the principal subsidiary body of this Assembly, mandated to promote and protect all human rights. Its work must remain guided by universality, impartiality, objectivity, and non-selectivity. The Council should serve as a platform for constructive dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding, not confrontation or politicization. Selectivity and double standards undermine its credibility and weaken the international human rights system. Mr. President, the report reflects important work on emerging challenges, including the human rights implications of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, as well as access to nutritious food, water, and sanitation. Pakistan welcomes these efforts. As technology transforms societies, international cooperation must ensure that its benefits are shared equitably and that human rights are protected, particularly for women, girls, and vulnerable communities. We also underscore the importance of maintaining a balanced approach across all categories of human rights. Civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights are universal, indivisible, and interdependent. The right to development deserves particular attention, especially as developing countries confront persistent poverty, inequality, debt burdens, and climate-related challenges. The Council must strengthen its engagement with the relationship between human rights, development, and sustainability in support of the 2030 agenda. Mr. President, the Council's prevention mandate must be applied consistently and without discrimination. We remain concerned that grave violations in situations of foreign occupation and denial of people's right to self-determination continue to demand greater international attention. The Council must address such situations with impartiality, uphold international law, and strengthen independent monitoring and reporting. No state should enjoy impunity because of its power or political influence. Pakistan also remains deeply concerned by the growing prevalence of Islamophobia, religious intolerance, racism, and xenophobia. We call for sustained international efforts to counter these manifestations of hatred and promote mutual respect, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. The Council's expanding responsibilities require adequate resources, streamlined mandates, and better coordination to avoid duplication. Technical assistance and capacity building should remain demand-driven, culturally sensitive, and aligned with national priorities. Such cooperation is essential to enable states to strengthen institutions and progressively fill their human rights obligations. Mr. President, let us work towards a human rights system that is universal in its application, equitable in its priorities, adequately resourced, and free from politicization. The Council's credibility will ultimately be measured not by the number of resolutions or mandates it adopts, but by its ability to advance human dignity and protect the rights of all people everywhere, without discrimination or prejudice. I thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Pakistan. I shall now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Mr. President, Brazil thanks the President of the Human Rights Council for his presentation. Brazil is currently serving its sixth term on the Council and has been re-elected for the 2027-2029 period. We remain committed to exercising our vote and voice to ensure legitimate multilateral solutions to the promotion and protection of human rights. In its voluntary pledges, Brazil underscored its resolve to enhance the efficiency of the Council and strengthen its role in preventing and addressing the structural causes of serious human rights violations, with a focus on constructive dialogue and international cooperation. These commitments will be translated into concrete actions towards building a just, inclusive, and rights-respecting international community, grounded in the protection of human dignity, the promotion of diversity and inclusion, social participation, sustainable development, and efforts to combat hunger and poverty. We are living a particularly challenging period for the promotion of human rights and for multilateralism. The intensification of humanitarian crises around the world reflect a disregard for human dignity, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable. At the same time, global military spending continues to far exceed investments in development, combating hunger and poverty,

and advancing fundamental rights.

Yet, the full realization and respect for human rights remain indispensable to addressing the root causes of conflicts and for securing lasting peace. Brazil is also concerned by attempts to undermine human rights through their relativization or instrumentalization, and reaffirms its commitment to upholding their universality. Respect for international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, is not optional. It's imperative. Mr. President, Brazil reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the strengthening of the Human Rights Council and the human rights pillar of the United Nations system. We underscore the need for adequate and predictable funding for the Council's activities, particularly those aimed at combating discrimination and promoting and protecting human rights through technical cooperation, which delivers tangible results on the ground. Brazil calls for global solidarity in support of the human rights of all people everywhere without discrimination. guided by the universal values upheld in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We do so in favor of a more just and equitable world for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Brazil. I now give the floor to the Kingdom of Morocco.

Mr. President, the Kingdom of the Delegation of Morocco is pleased to welcome among us the President of the Human Rights Council, and we extend our warm congratulations to him for having led the Council during this particularly significant year, marking its 20th anniversary. The Kingdom of Morocco had the honor of presiding over the Council in 2024, and we remain steadfastly and consistently committed to this institution. Twenty years after its creation, the Council has succeeded in becoming the forum where the international community comes together to listen, engage in dialogue, and take action. The adoption of the resolution dedicated to this 20th anniversary serves as a reminder that universality, impartiality, objectivity, and non-selectivity are the very essence of its work, and we are closely following the efforts to make the Council more effective. The progress made in 2025 demonstrates the determination to serve better, and we are convinced that it is by pursuing this approach through transparency, inclusiveness, and consensus that the Council will remain faithful to the expectations it inspires. However, we cannot ignore the difficulties that the liquidity crisis is imposing on the functioning of the Council and the fulfilment of its mission. Providing the human rights pillar with resources commensurate with its ambitions means preserving the credibility as well as the independence of an architecture that we have patiently built together. My delegation also wishes to pay tribute to the Consultative Group, as well as to the mandate-holders of the special procedures, for their tireless commitment. Morocco also reaffirms its deep attachment to the Universal Periodic Review, a space for cooperation and dialogue among peers. Mr. President, over the past year, nearly four out of five resolutions were adopted without a vote. Beyond the figures, this should be seen as evidence of a culture of dialogue and consensus that is a credit to the Council. In a world that is experiencing ever more crises, we remain convinced that human rights can flourish fully only when they are kept free from the forces of politicization. It is through listening, dialogue, and cooperation that we have together achieved our greatest advances, and it is through these same means that we will overcome our divisions. As the Council enters its third decade, the Kingdom of Morocco stands ready with conviction and humility to continue this common endeavor. Thank you.

I thank the Kingdom of Morocco.

Mr. President, my delegation thanks the President of the Human Rights Council for the briefing today, as well as for leading the work of the Council. This year marks 20 years since the General Assembly established the Human Rights Council by resolution 60/251, and 60 years since the adoption of the two international covenants on human rights. India returned to the Council this year for its seventh term for the period 2026-28. We do so with a convention that has always guided us and which was articulated by India's External Affairs Minister at the first session of our 2026-28 term. Human rights are best advanced through dialogue, capacity building, and genuine partnerships, and not by politicization, selectivity, or double standards. This is critical if the Council is to speak in one voice and dispel the allegation of weaponization of human rights. Mr. President, anniversaries are also an occasion for reflection. India would offer four observations. First, the credibility of the Council rests on even-handedness. Country-specific mandates pursued without the engagement of the country concerned seldom improve the situation on the ground. On the contrary, they deepen divisions within the Council. The Universal Periodic Review, which is built on cooperation, engagement with Member States concerned, and treats all States equally, remains the appropriate platform. Second, all human rights must be treated in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis. Economic, social, and cultural rights, and the right to development deserve the same attention as civil and political rights. For much of the developing world, poverty, debt, and limited access to financing and technology remain the most immediate obstacles to the enjoyment of human rights. These call for international cooperation and not coercion. It is in this spirit that India supported the Council’s resolution on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights. Third, technical assistance and capacity building should be extended at the request and with the consent of the State concerned. We note the Council’s work this year in support of South Sudan, Mali, and Haiti, and on women’s access to education, and work in digital and cybersecurity-related fields. Fourth, the Council must deliver on its mandate within the means available to it. We note the efficiency measures set out in the President's statement of 8 December 2025, including the three-year programme of work and the voluntary rationalisation of initiatives. Rationalisation should remain member-driven and transparent. It should not fall disproportionately on mandates that address development and economic, social, and cultural rights. The human rights pillar needs adequate and predictable funding through regular budget, so that its priorities are not shaped by earmarked voluntary contributions. There’s also a call for greater coherence between Geneva and New York, including by reducing overlap between their work. We should consider mechanisms that avoid resolutions and initiatives on the same topic and of similar nature, both in the Council and Assembly. We see an increasing tendency for the Council to dictate reporting to the Third Committee, including reporting by special rapporteurs, which further undermines the need for a specialized council. Mr. President, terrorism remains among the gravest threats to the enjoyment of human rights, above all the right to life. The Council has recognized this in its resolution on international cooperation this year. We would encourage the Council to give this threat the sustained attention it warrants on the basis of zero tolerance. Mr. President, as a member, India brings to the Council a pluralistic and balanced perspective and remains ready to work with all members and observers to help bridge divides. Thank you.

I thank the representative of India.

I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

Thank you, Mr. President. Israel wishes to see a Human Rights Council that protects the rights of people without discrimination. That is why we are here today to speak about the Iranian regime. Not only is Iran one of the worst violators of human rights, they remain threat to Israel, the Middle East, and the entire world. What is happening now in Iran cannot stand. The same regime that crushes dissent at home is rebuilding the capabilities to threaten all of us. Mr. President, the Iranian regime is the epitome of arrogance. Its leaders believe they can dictate the future of the Middle East. Its military threatens its neighbors. Its government silences anyone who dares to resist. The Iranian regime has a recipe for terrorism, and it is preparing to use it again. First, you rebuild your nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Then, you add a sprinkle of support for your proxies. Only recently, they transferred $200 million to Hezbollah. That is plenty. Once the temperature of the Middle East reaches a simmer, brutally arrest and kill your own people. 29 people were executed only in the last year. Finally, hold global shipping hostage in the Strait of Hormuz. Make sure the consequences are felt far beyond the Middle East. Mix these ingredients together, and you get a horrifying reality. Iran knows this recipe of terror by heart. We have seen them use it many times before. Now, they are back in the kitchen, and the world is on the menu. We hear IRGC statements threatening to destroy Israel. We read Iran’s list of targets in Israel. We see Iranian officials proudly expressing support for Hamas and Hezbollah. These are not empty statements. Satellite evidence shows that the regime is restoring its capabilities with no legitimate justification. Now, the regime is taking its threats to the international stage, blockading the Strait of Hormuz. It has murdered more than 20 innocent sailors and attacked over 100 commercial ships. These actions directly affect the Iranian people. This radical regime has justified destroying its own economy so that the world suffers from higher oil, food, and shipping prices. That is how this regime behaves. Iran oppresses its own people. disobeys international law, and refuses every opportunity to build a better future for its citizens. These are not isolated actions. They are obvious signs of a stubborn regime that believes it is calling the shots. I say to the Iranian regime: You are making a colossal mistake. It is time for a reality check. Your arrogance will bring you down. The ground beneath your feet is boiling. To the Iranian people, your moment is fast approaching. Soon you will be able to determine your own future. Mr. President, the Iranian regime has had many opportunities to disavow the radical ideology it spreads throughout our region. Its arrogance has led it to reject every one. Israel will not stand by while the Iranian threat looms before us and the people of Iran suffer. Every single nation should use this platform today to speak out against this regime. Israel stands strong with the people of Iran. We stand with those who seek freedom from this regime of terror. The world will not be silent in the face over the fanatical Iranian regime. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Israel.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Thank you, Mr. President. We wish to welcome the President of the UN Human Rights Council, Mr. Soiyediporo, to New York. We are grateful for the presentation of the report on the work of the General Assembly organ entrusted to him. Unfortunately, the outcomes of the work of the HRC in recent years have given rise to serious concerns. The number of country-specific resolutions with criticisms against sovereign governments has been rising, the list of thematic initiatives adopted by consensus is being reduced, and the number of States refusing to cooperate with the Council is expanding. Space for dialogue among States is quickly dwindling, and HRC resolutions are not being taken seriously. often are being disregarded. In the absence of a full-fledged international dialogue on human rights, it is not possible to help to improve the human rights situation in the world as a whole and in specific countries. Therefore, the Council, hRC, is increasingly neglecting to fulfill its mandate. Who is to blame for the situation and what needs to be done? We do recognize the fact that the main responsibility for the fact that the Council has approached its 20th anniversary, unfortunately, with a heavy baggage of problems, and the blame for this lies with states. But not all states. One political group of states who have been monopolizing the concept of human rights, and they have been using this as an emotional legal cudgel for the advancement of their short-sighted political and economic agendas. And the reckless actions of this group of states today is, and due to the reckless actions of this group of states, Those countries who need technical assistance are unable to receive this insofar as the HRC resolutions that are advanced are creating additional conditions and erecting new barriers to states who need assistance in national capacity building for human rights. This is a blatant manipulation of the Council, which is resulting in loss of trust both by other international institutions and ordinary citizens, and Russia, as a conscientious member of the international community, will continue to see to it that constructive, equitable cooperation and dialogue genuinely become fundamental principles underpinning the work of the Council. We believe that the main goal is to uphold human values and not to advance the parochial interests of a narrow group of Western political elites. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation.

I now give the floor to Algeria.

Thank you, Mr. President. Algeria welcomes the presentation of the Human Rights Council's report by its President to the General Assembly. This provides an opportunity to reflect on the mandate of the HRC.

And its contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.

In this regard, we recall General Assembly resolution 18/287, which reaffirms the Council's status as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly and underscores the importance of coherence and complementarity within the United Nations system. We take note of the report of the Human Rights Council, which consists of resolutions and decisions adopted in the 61st, 62nd, 63rd regular and special sessions.

Of the Council, and would like to make the following remarks: Mr. President.

Our delegation reaffirms that human rights must be promoted and protected with objectivity, impartiality, and non-selectivity. The credibility of the international human rights system.

Depends on the consistent application of these principles, without politicization or double standards.

International cooperation must be founded on dialogue, mutual respect, and also respect of our national sovereignty without interference in the internal affairs. Under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algeria continues its efforts to strengthen the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and civil society participation in accordance with its constitution. In 2025, the National Human Rights Council awarded its human rights prize to actors contributing to food and water security, reflecting Algeria's convictions that human dignity is inseparable from access to essential resources and the conditions necessary for a dignified life. Mr. President, the universality of human rights must be upheld in all their dimensions. Civil and political rights are inseparable.

From economic, social, and cultural rights, while the right to development remains essential to their full enjoyment.

The right of people to.

Self-determination is a fundamental and inalienable principle of international law, particularly for people living under foreign occupation. The international community must remain steadfast in upholding this right. Our delegation also emphasized the importance of technical cooperation and capacity building, guided by the needs and.

Priorities of States to support the fulfillment of their human rights obligations.

Mr. President, Algeria remains convinced that multilateralism, dialogue, and cooperation offer the most effective path towards a more just international order. We stand ready to work constructively with Member States in pursuit of these shared objectives. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria.

Mr. President, Thailand thanks the President of the Human Rights Council for the report. As a member of the Human Rights Council for 2025 to 2027, Thailand reaffirm its unfaltering commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights for all, especially persons in vulnerable situation, guided by the principle of leaving no one behind. Thailand reiterate our support for the work of the Human Rights Council. As a cornerstone of the international human rights architecture, as the Council marks its 20th anniversary, we encourage continued efforts to improve the Council's efficiency so that it can deliver on its vital mandate. To this end, Thailand will continue to play a bridging role to build trust, promote technical cooperation and technical and capacity building, and collaborate with all stakeholders. Technical cooperation and capacity building are especially key, and they are areas where Thailand led under the HRC resolution on enhancement of technical cooperation and capacity building in the field of human rights. Mr. President, our commitment begins at home through legal reforms, including the promulgation of the Marriage Equality Act. the Protection and Promotion of the Way of Life of Ethnic Groups Act, as well as the implementation of an accelerated pathway for stateless persons. Beyond these regulations, we implement measures under the Business and Human Rights National Action Plan. as well as human rights education program, to ensure that all sector in our society, including the business sector, uphold their responsibility to respect human rights. Mr. President, next month, Thailand will undergo its fourth Universal Periodic Review. We remain committed to the UPR as an important mechanism to take stock of progress address challenges and advance human rights through an inclusive process. Thailand stands ready to work with the United Nations and all partners to translate our human rights commitments into concrete and positive changes to the lives of all peoples. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Thailand.

I now give the floor to the representative of Myanmar.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, my delegation thanks Ambassador Sidarto Reza Soedibjo of Indonesia, President of the Human Rights Council, for submitting this report. We particularly welcome the adoption of resolutions 61/30 and 62/3, which remain essential lifelines for the people of Myanmar during this harrowing period. Mr. President, as the Council’s sobering report details, we are witnessing a global retreat from fundamental human rights norms. Authoritarian regimes are increasingly exploiting digital repressions, weaponizing misinformation, and utilizing sham elections to systematically dismantle civil space. The crisis in Myanmar stands as one of the most profound and devastating examples of these democratic erosions. More than five years after the illegal military coup in February 2021, the situation in Myanmar continues to be devastating, prolonging the suffering of the people of Myanmar both within and outside the country. The military junta has intensified its campaign of terror against the people, and its atrocities have reached catastrophic new heights. Moreover, the military dismantling of the rule of law has enabled Myanmar to become a global epicentre for transnational crimes, with the report explicitly noting the severe human rights impact of human trafficking, illicit drug production, and massive online scam operations. At the same time, the Rohingya crisis continues to deepen. The junta’s ongoing atrocities across the country have thoroughly destroyed any immediate prospect for the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of refugees. We regret that the host countries are overburdened in many aspects. To this end, the IINMM and the UN Special Rapporteurs have concluded that the atrocities committed by the military junta unequivocally amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, backed by credible documentation and evidence. But the perpetrators of these grave crimes continue to violate international law. They have shown flagrant disregard for the international community by ignoring the RCM 5.5 Consensus and the UN Security Council Resolution 2669. This underscores the undeniable intent of military dictators who continue to operate under a blanket impunity. International community, therefore, need to take precise and effective actions, not in reverse. We demand the Member States to first enhance UN synergy to ensure that the recommendations within the Human Rights Council resolutions translate into meaningful and enforceable measures that hold perpetrators of crimes against humanity accountable. Second, empower accountability mechanisms by providing full support and collaboration to the IIIM and all other special mandate holders so that they can fully discharge their duties and finalize groundwork for international prosecution. That impose comprehensive embargoes. It is a high time for the international community to implement decisive, coordinated arms embargo and cut off the supply of jet fuel and financial resources to the military hunter. Fourth, ensure an impeded humanitarian access. With the increasing number of people in need in challenging settings, the delivery of lifesaving assistance and adequate funding to all vulnerable populations must be granted. As we anticipate the ICJ verdict on the case between the Gambia versus Myanmar as a vital step towards dismantling the military's entrenched impunity, we urge Member States to stand on the side of justice and accountability. Any premature international engagement, normalizations, or selected diplomatic outreach that grants an end breathing room to the junta only embolden its atrocities. We ask the international community not to be deceived by the superficial arts of the military junta. The clear root cause of the crisis is the military junta and the military dictatorship. They have no genuine commitment to peace and to the people. They cannot be partners for peace and the future of Myanmar. The window to cooperate with our democratic forces is wide open. We ask the international community to meaningfully engage with and support the people, the NUG, SCEF, who are the only true partners for building a peaceful, federal democratic union. UN has failed the people of Myanmar too many times. We implore you not to repeat anymore. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Myanmar.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kyrgyzstan.

Mr. President, at the outset, let me welcome the President of the Human Rights Council and thank him for presenting the Council’s report. As the Council marks its 20th anniversary, The delegation of the Kyrgyz Republic retrace its full commitment to multilateral human rights cooperation and the Council's unique mandates. We reaffirm that all the human rights are universal, indivisible, and that their protection requires sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and international cooperation. On 2 March 2026, during the 61st session of the HRC, Albania delivered the joint statement on the importance of multilateral human rights cooperation on behalf of the core group, including Albania, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Chile, Kenya, and my own country, the Kyrgyz Republic. This initiative brought together states from all five regional groups in support of the UN human rights system. By this engagement, my country reaffirms its commitment to the international order grounded by the UN Charter and international law. We call upon all States to strengthen the cooperation within the Council, its mechanisms, and the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, and the treaty bodies. Mr. President, women’s economic empowerment remains the priority for the Kyrgyz Republic. We recall the adoption of, by consensus, Human Rights Council resolution 59/18, entitled Accelerating efforts to achieve women's economic empowerment, which my country facilitated jointly together with the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Moldova, Sierra Leone, and the United Kingdom. The resolution requests the Office of the High Commissioner to present next year a report on trade agreements, including their gender equality provisions and their impact on women's economic empowerment. We look forward to this report as an opportunity to inform further discussion and practical action. Finally, Mr. President, we hope that the Secretary General and the Secretariat will maintain a substantive and inclusive dialogue with the Geneva human rights system within the framework of the UN80 initiative. In our joint initiative this year, we reaffirm that need for the credible and adequately resourced human rights system, responsive to the State's needs for technical assistance and capacity building, and to needs of victims and affected communities. While the financial difficulties facing the UN are obvious, reform must present the organization's ability to fulfill its human rights mandates. Discussions should be reflected the expectations, needs, and voice of all, including LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. Let us move forward, building together the UN that is efficient, responsive, and steadfast in its defense of human dignity. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Kyrgyzstan. We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item for this meeting.

We shall hear the remaining speakers this afternoon at 3:00 PM in this hall. The Assembly has thus concluded the stage of its consideration of agenda item 65. The meeting is adjourned.