Third Committee, 3rd plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session

Good morning, colleagues. Looking forward to everyone taking their place. We've got 30 or 40 seconds to go. Okay, good morning. Welcome, everybody. Thank you so much for setting such a collaborative tone yesterday. I think it demonstrates that we all have a very strong shared interest in making sure that this committee does its work effectively and that we can get through what is really a very substantial workload. in a collaborative, effective fashion. So I want to express my personal appreciation to the Secretariat and the Bureau for all the support that I think is being shown in the room for us to do our work together. With that, the third meeting of the Third Committee of the General Assembly in its 81st session is called to order. I will remind everybody of the speaking limits and the fact that the microphone will cut off. I apologize in advance if that impacts anybody. It's not intended at any particular delegation, but we will apply the rules consistently across the whole of the membership. I have a list before me, and it initially is Belarus on behalf of a group of friends, followed by Peru, followed by Mongolia. The distinguished representative of Belarus, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. It's my distinct honor and privilege to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Family in the United Nations. In my capacity as one of its co-chairs representing the Republic of Belarus, we are reminded today of truth. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society. It is the lived reality of every culture, every community, and every nation. The family raises children, transmits values, provides care, and connects generations. Through the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action for Social Development, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, world leaders recognized the family as the basic unit of society, acknowledged its key role in social development and affirmed that it should be strengthened. For our group, this is not merely a matter of terminology. It is about the kind of society we want to pass on to the next generation. The family is at the heart of the development. Motherhood and fatherhood, responsible parenthood, and upbringing of children and solidarity between generations are not outdated concepts to be gradually pushed aside. They are among the foundations upon which societies continue to exist. The second world summit for social development held in Doha, Qatar in 2025 set out to address existing gaps and reaffirm the commitment to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and its programme of action. The summit provided an important opportunity to strengthen the role of the family and its contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, while generating momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The group firmly believes that the family must remain the cornerstone of social policy and underscores the importance of fostering international cooperation, building multilateral partnerships and developing comprehensive family-oriented policies. We should also ask ourselves what happens to a society when forming a family becomes increasingly difficult, when youth postpones or abandons parenthood because of economic security, and when motherhood is treated as merely one lifestyle choice among the many rather than as a vital contribution to the continuation of society. At the end of the day, there is no substitute for the next generation. No society can sustain itself indefinitely without children. A net development agenda can remain meaningful if it loses sight of the conditions in which children are born, raised and supported by their parents or their legal guardians. The demographic trends before us should therefore be a wake-up call. Falling fertility, population aging, family instability, and the difficulties faced by young people in forming a family are not abstract statistical phenomena. They affect the stability of communities, social protection systems, and the bonds between generations. This is why our group believes that the United Nations must put the family back where it belongs, at the center of social development policy. We need policies that support marriage and responsible parenthood, strengthen the role of mothers and fathers, protect motherhood, support families with children, improve access to housing and employment, and enable women and men to have the number of children they desire. It is essential to bear in mind that family formation decisions are strongly influenced by income, employment, housing, health care, and social protection. If these foundations are weakened, families pay the price. Through joint action and evidence-based research, we can pave the way for policies that address these realities, rather than merely changing the language used to describe them. We also cannot ignore the growing presence of ideological approaches across the UN agenda. Our group believes that the United Nations should remain focused on what unites member states and on principles that enjoy broad international recognition, rather than turning every area of social policy into a vehicle for promoting contested concepts. We should not allow terminology to obscure reality. A family is not created by a document. It is built through commitment, responsibility, parenthood, and care. At the same time, family cannot thrive in an environment of economic pressure and coercion. We therefore reiterate our opposition to coercive measures which undermine the development and can place an unjust burden on the family, particularly those already facing economic difficulties. Cooperation, solidarity and respect for international law must be the way forward. We take note with appreciation of the role of the United Nations and particularly the Department of Economic and Social Affairs in advancing cooperation and family related issues. We encourage DESA to give greater attention to the family as a cross-cutting dimension of sustainable development and to ensure that the family agenda is properly reflected throughout the work of the organization. Our group also reaffirms its commitment to the objectives of International Year of the Family in its follow-up processes. In this regard, our group reaffirms its commitment to the Doha Political Declaration. adopted at the second World Summit for Social Development, which recognized the role of the family as a central enabler and contributor to social development. Excellencies, the future does not begin tomorrow. It begins with the children we raise today. If we want sustainable societies, we must create conditions in which families can form, mothers and fathers can raise their children, and every generation can pass its values and responsibilities to the next. Let us therefore turn our words into action. Let us strengthen the family, support motherhood and fatherhood, protect children, uphold intergenerational solidarity, and ensure that the family remains where it has always belonged, at the heart of our common future. I thank you for your attention.

I thank the representative of Belarus. I now invite the distinguished representative of Peru. You have the floor, followed by Mongolia. Peru, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Chair. It's a real pleasure to see you presiding at the head of this committee. I'm certain that your leadership will ensure that our work results in something substantive and relevant. At the beginning of the mandate, in July of this year, the government of President Fujimori made a clear commitment to announce that one of its main goals would be to close the huge social deficit that affects millions of Peruvians transcending simple day-to-day administration of the state. This national commitment is part of a broader conviction, which is development and the promotion of protection of human rights requires legitimate, effective and accountable institutions. It also requires societies capable of building agreements and addressing their differences through peaceful and institutional means. For this reason, Peru reaffirms its conviction that Democracy is strengthened through solid and legitimate institutions, through respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, and also through dialogue, tolerance, and respect for a diversity of opinion. Consolidation of democratic societies requires transparent and accountable institutions able to generate trust amongst citizens and able to channel differences through institutional and peaceful channels. In this context, it's essential that we strengthen the fight against corruption. It represents an obstacle to sustainable development and can weaken public institutions, the rule of law, as well as citizens' trust. Peru will be actively participating in the negotiation of the biennial resolution on preventing and combating corrupt practices. which reaffirms the importance of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, UNCAC, as a universal legal instrument for preventing and combating corruption. We reiterate our readiness to advance in the full and effective implementation of UNCAC, as well as in the strengthening of international cooperation and measures aimed at preventing corruption, recovering assets and consolidating transparent, upright and effective public institutions. In addition to the fight against corruption, there is another challenge that we must address in order to advance in the area of development and guarantee full exercise of human rights, which is crime. Latin America and the Caribbean, despite considering itself a zone of peace and free of nuclear weapons, This region is facing the threat of organized crime, in particular. Organized crime erodes the security and confidence of citizens in this state. And this is why, as our head of state pointed out before the General Assembly just a few days ago, combating this scourge head on is also a priority for Peru. As the Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has pointed out on multiple occasions, transnational organized crime goes beyond the capacity of each state. It cannot be tackled in isolation. It requires a cooperative response that is based on solidarity and shared responsibility. It also requires effective articulation of the entire UN system. In this regard, there is a need for a holistic approach to be applied with a development and long-term perspective. in order to transcend the spaces traditionally dedicated to security. The links between illicit arms trafficking, illegal mining and logging, trafficking in persons, corruption and other related crimes, and also the world drug problem must be recognized as indeed drugs is one of the main sources of financing for these criminal organizations. In the area of crime prevention and criminal justice, Peru is is happy to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening international cooperation, the exchange of good practices and capacity building, and also to prosecuting crime from the perpetrator to the networks that sustains it. Protecting our children and strengthening their families means protecting the future of Peru. This protection begins with healthcare. Peru is seeking to strengthen healthcare throughout a person's lifespan with special emphasis on pregnancy, early childhood, and the elderly. Food security is inseparable from this effort because no child can learn or develop fully while they are hungry. In addition to this, the government's commitment to quality Quality education is another step, allowing each child to fully develop his or her abilities and expand their opportunities. This comprehensive approach has led the state to act in a timely manner and address the specific needs at each stage of an individual's life, ensuring that the circumstances in which a person is born or grows up does not determine his or her opportunities for development. This same vision of protection and equality of opportunity should also be applied in a particular way to women and girls. Every individual has the right to live with dignity and to receive adequate care without distinction in relation to their origin, condition or beliefs. In the case of women and girls, this requires a timely response in the face of violence, as well as measures to strengthen their autonomy. Acting in time can save lives. A complaint that is not addressed can have irreparable consequences. And this is why it is essential to support victims of violence from the first moment of reporting the incident and providing them with legal and psychosocial support. Similarly, strengthening women's economic autonomy, amongst other means, through entrepreneurship and other areas can contribute to expanding opportunities for women and preventing situations of violence and dependency. Protecting in time, caring with dignity and generating autonomy are all part of the same vision that no woman or girl should see their life project limited as a result of violence or inequality. Peru is a democratic, pacifist country that respects international law. in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We have a firm commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with our political constitution and the international treaties to which we are a party. At our national level, We have an institutional framework that is coordinated so as to guarantee the rights of all with special attention to groups in vulnerable situations. As part of this effort, we have adopted our first multi-sectoral national human rights policy through 2014. It is aimed at combating discrimination and structural inequality. At the international level, Peru has actively participated in the Human Rights Council. of which we have been a member on three occasions. We have also participated in four cycles of the universal periodic review. Since 2002, we have maintained an open invitation to the United Nations special procedures to visit and assess the human rights situation in our country in accordance with their respective mandates. So far, we have received 16 visits. Poverty in all of its forms and dimensions continues to be one of the main global challenges and one of the most serious forms of human rights violations. Peru reaffirms its commitment to the eradication of poverty, to full and productive employment, to decent work and to social inclusion. Quality education opens up opportunities, but this also requires investment, economic growth and decent and productive employment. Creating such conditions has been essential for people to develop their capacities and improve their living conditions. The Doha Political Declaration must now be translated into concrete actions, and this Committee is a space that was designed specifically for that. In this context, during the current session, Peru will present and promote the draft resolution on human rights and extreme poverty. It reaffirms the relationship between combating extreme poverty and human dignity and underscores the importance of social protection, education and non-discrimination on the basis of socio-economic grounds. Peru is tackling these challenges from the basis of a comprehensive vision, protecting rights, closing gaps and strengthening institutions so that the dignity of each individual can become an effective reality. In this third committee, Peru will continue to participate constructively in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, as we are convinced that the promotion and protection of human rights means that we must translate our commitments into concrete and timely actions. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Peru and I now invite the distinguished representative of Mongolia followed by Ecuador. Mongolia, you have the floor.

Mr. Chair, at the outset, allow me to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau and assure you of my delegation's full support. Mongolia aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. We begin the work of this committee against a complex global backdrop marked by conflicts, persistent inequalities, demographic shifts, climate-related pressures, and rapid technological change, all of which continue to affect the enjoyment of human rights and the prospect for inclusive social development. 30 years after the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action placed people at the center of development, the adoption of Doha Political Declaration at the Second World Summit for Social Development last year renewed our collective commitment to poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work, and social inclusion. Our task now is to translate these commitments into tangible results. The SDG report 2026 estimates that around 826 million people, one in 10 globally, still live in extreme poverty, while 2.8 billion remain without any form of social protection. The ILO projects a global jobs gap of more than 400 million people, with around 260 million young people neither in employment, education, nor training. UN Women, UN DESA further warned that if current trend persists, 351 million women and girls could still be living in extreme poverty by 2030. Behind these figures are people whose rights, dignity and opportunities are at stake. Our task is to ensure that transformation expands opportunities, strengthens social cohesion and protects human dignity. Mr. Chair, Mongolia attaches great importance to upholding human rights and advancing inclusive social development. Last year, Mongolia underwent its fourth universal periodic review, receiving 223 recommendations. Mongolia supported 100. 92 recommendations, partially supported one, and noted 30. On 11 March this year, the government approved a general action plan for their implementation over the next four years. And the outcome of Mongolia's review was subsequently adopted by HRC on 18 March. We regard the UPR as an important mechanism for constructive dialogue and sustained national improvement. Mongolia has maintained a standing invitation to the thematic special procedures of the HRC since 2004 and has welcomed more than a dozen visits by special procedures mandate holders, most recently In April 2025, Mongolia welcomed the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy, enabling dialogue on personal data protection, digital technologies, and emerging privacy challenges. The constructive engagement continued this year with the official visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Walker Turk, on 10 to 11 May. During the visit, Mongolia and the Office of the High Commissioner signed a declaration of intent and a roadmap towards the establishment of UN Regional Human Rights Training and Research Center in Ulaanbaatar, translating Mongolia's Human Rights 75 pledge into practical cooperation. Mr. Chair. Our approach to social development is equally people-centered. This year, Mongolia comprehensively revised its family law for the first time in 27 years, strengthening protection for children and women and providing a broader framework to support families. Parliament also adopted a new law on family court proceedings, placing the rights and best interest of the child at the forefront of family-related judicial proceedings. Mongolia recognizes the importance of responding to the aspirations of young people and needs of older persons. A new youth employment support program was introduced this year to facilitate young people's transition into productive and sustainable employment. For older persons, amendments to the law on senior citizens in force since 2025, have introduced more comprehensive and individualized services, including home-based and day care, long-term care, and active aging services. Mongolia is also promoting their continued participation in labor market, including through a requirement for larger employers to allocate employment opportunities for older persons. Advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls remain one of the Mongolia's priorities. The 2024 parliamentary elections marked important progress with 32 women elected to the 126 parliament. Electoral legislation provides for minimum gender quota among candidates to increase to 40% in 2028. alone is not enough. Women must also have meaningful influence over decisions. Since 2022, Ulaanbaatar has hosted a sustained series of international gatherings dedicated to women's leadership, the International Conference of Women Peacekeepers, in 2024, the Female Foreign Ministers Meeting in 2023, the World Women's Forum organized with the cooperation with the UN in 2024, and World Women Entrepreneurs Forum in 2025. Building on this momentum, on 12 and 13 October, Mongolia will host the World Women Parliamentarians Forum under the theme from representation to influence in decision-making process. Our commitment is also reflected in the election this June of Mongolian expert, Ms. Amarsanaa Delsuren, to the CDO for the term 2026-2030. Mr. Chair, education is another area where Mongolia connects national priorities with international action. Recognizing education as a fundamental investment in long-term development, the government designated 2026 as the year to support education. Education accounts for 16.4% of total state budget expenditure in 2026, and during the first half of the year, more than 64,000 teachers participated in national and local professional development programs. These national priorities complement Mongolia's longstanding international advocacy on education and literacy. For many years, Mongolia has championed the General Assembly resolution, Literacy for Life, shaping future agendas. Literacy remains fundamental to education, decent work, and participation in society, while rapid technological change is expanding the skills people need to participate fully in modern life. The digital divide is therefore no longer only about connectivity. It is increasingly about people can participate safely and meaningfully in digital society as Mongolia facilitates consideration of literacy resolution during this session we hope to count on the support of all delegations for this important initiative Mr. chair Mongolia For Mongolia, climate change, desertification, and land degradation also deeply social issues. Last month, Mongolia hosted UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar under the theme, "Restoring Land and Restoring Hope." Its relevance to our discussion is clear. Land degradation and drought affect livelihoods, food and water security, migration, and social resilience with disproportionate consequences for pastoralist rural communities, women and children. Lastly, the challenges before us reaffirm the importance of dialogue, cooperation and effective implementation. Mongolia will continue to work constructively with all Member States to advance human rights, promote inclusive social development and translate our shared commitments into tangible progress for people. As we mark the 65th anniversary of Mongolia's membership into the UN, we remain firmly committed to multilateralism and to United Nations that protects human dignity, responds to the changing realities, and delivers for all. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Mongolia. And now I will call on the permanent representative of Ecuador, followed by the permanent representative of Guatemala. Ecuador, you have the floor.

Mr. Chair, I congratulate you on your appointment, and you can count on the support of my delegation in carrying out your work. I say this not as a mere diplomatic courtesy, but as a commitment by the Ecuadorian delegation to contribute to the effective work of the Third Committee. You will have our support in advancing the planning, streamlining and optimization of the Committee's work, to make more efficient use of the time and the resources available, to seek to simplify resolutions and streamline the production of reports, to move towards biennial or triennial consideration of resolutions, to avoid duplication and generate greater synergies with the work of other committees, organs, agencies and mechanisms of the United Nations system. Colleagues, we can achieve this through collective commitment and without detracting from a serious, substantive debate that addresses the social, humanitarian and human rights challenges affecting people in every corner of the planet without distinction. Mr. Chair. Ecuador reaffirms its long-standing commitment to multilateralism and to the respect, promotion, and protection of human rights, recognizing their universal, indivisible, and interdependent nature. Human dignity is at the heart of our foreign policy, which, in the face of challenges that transcend borders, places its faith in solidarity and collective action to advance towards shared objectives. From this perspective, it is essential to reaffirm that the three pillars of the United Nations, peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, are closely linked and mutually reinforcing. Today's challenges do not arise in isolation or involve only a single dimension. They therefore cannot be addressed through fragmented perspectives, but rather through comprehensive responses that recognize this interdependence. Poverty, inequality, violence, conflicts, discrimination, human mobility crises, and transnational organized crime simultaneously affect the dimensions of security, development, and human rights, Mr. Chair. Transnational organized crime is one of the clearest examples of this interconnection. Ecuador knows this reality firsthand, as it faces an internal armed conflict caused by this scourge. It is not merely a threat to security. Its activities directly affect social cohesion, corrupt institutions, weaken the rule of law, and have tangible consequences for the exercise of human rights. In response to this reality, the Government of Ecuador has put forward three proposals aimed at strengthening the international response. The first is the creation of mechanisms to trace and freeze the illicit financial flows of criminal organizations. Disrupting their sources of funding would strengthen prevention, weaken their operational capabilities and contribute to a more effective response to crime and the violations of rights it generates. The second is to promote the exchange of information at the regional and global levels. The transnational nature of crime requires channels that enable action beyond national borders, connect investigations and facilitate access to justice. This work is indispensable to reduce impunity, protect victims and confront new forms of crime in the digital environment. The third is to make the fight against organized crime a prevention priority within the framework of the UNAT initiative. This proposal falls within the purview of this Committee. The preventive dimension requires attention to the conditions that can be exploited by criminal structures, such as poverty, inequality and exclusion. States' capacities must be strengthened to create protective environments and ensure effective access to rights. These proposals reflect a shared conviction: the fight against transnational organized crime cannot be separated from the need to protect human rights or from the imperatives of prosperity and development. Ecuador is doing its part in the full exercise of its sovereignty. At the same time, it is aware that confronting transnational gangs and narco-terrorist organizations is also a shared responsibility that requires effective cooperation. Mr. Chair, 81 years ago, the United Nations found responses to the realities of the time and gave rise to norms, institutions, and principles that today form part of our common heritage. But the world has changed, and new questions have arisen that could not have been anticipated in the middle of the last century. This third committee also faces the challenge of carrying out its work with a broad, renewed and efficient vision capable of responding to the new questions and challenges of our time. Thank you very much.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Ecuador and I invite the Permanent Representative of Guatemala to take the floor, followed by Kyrgyzstan. Guatemala, you have the floor.

Mr. Chair, first of all, allow me to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau upon your election and express the recognition of this delegation for the efforts that are being made to conduct the work of this Committee. Guatemala believes that this space is essential for reaffirming its commitment to human dignity, equality, peace, and the promotion and protection of the human rights of all persons. This year, as we mark three decades since the signing of the peace agreements, Guatemala highlights the value of dialogue, participation, and international cooperation for laying the groundwork for a national peace agenda. This experience strengthens our conviction that peace requires a strengthening of institutions, the guaranteeing of human rights, promoting equal opportunities and building societies in which all people can participate fully. On this basis, Guatemala reiterates its commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of the four peoples that comprise the nation. It will continue to strengthen dialogue spaces between the government and indigenous authorities, recognizing the importance of ensuring full and effective participation in decision-making processes regarding matters that affect them. And this both at the national level and also in multilateral spaces, and thus to contribute to building comprehensive solutions that leave no one behind. The fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and all forms of intolerance remains a collective responsibility, and a prosperous future depends upon it. In that regard, it is essential to effectively implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to make the best use of the Second International Decade for Persons of African Descent, 2025 to 2034. Making progress on these commitments requires a response to the different forms of inequality and guaranteeing the inclusion of all generations, with a particular focus on the comprehensive protection of children and adolescents, by strengthening the coordinated action of the State to prevent violence, guarantee their rights and promote their effective participation. Mr. Chair. Equally, it is right to recognize the contribution of older persons to their families and communities. In this area, Guatemala is developing actions aimed at promoting and protecting their rights and is actively participating in the open-ended intergovernmental working group on the human rights of older persons, thus contributing to dialogue and to international efforts aimed at the development of a legally binding instrument. Progress has been made on updating the national disability policy through a decentralized participatory and multi-sectoral process which encompasses the entire national territory and aims to harmonize public action with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Moreover, the country is working to design and implement the Ibero-American Disability Card, which is aimed at facilitating recognition of rights within the Ibero-American space. Mr. Chair, equality requires guaranteeing the full, effective and meaningful participation of women in public, economic and social life. That commitment is being promoted through public policies and inter-institutional actions aimed at strengthening their economic autonomy, expanding their development opportunities and promoting their access to decent work, job training, entrepreneurship, resources and financial services. These policies recognize the cultural and territorial diversity of the country and pay particular attention to rural and indigenous women, with the aim of reducing the gaps that limit the exercise of their rights. Moreover, measures are being promoted to expand their participation and leadership within decision-making spaces. This progress should be accompanied by conditions that make sure that women, girls and adolescents can exercise their rights in safe environments that are free of violence in all spaces, including in digital spaces. In that regard, actions are being taken to identify online violence trends and to promote prevention, protection and care measures. Therefore, we continue to strengthen the institutional response to prevent and address different forms of violence against women, girls and adolescents on the basis of our experience, specialized legislation, public policies and existing protection mechanisms. The promotion of human rights should also lead to tangible, concrete conditions that allow all people to live in dignity. In that context, Guatemala is promoting the intersectoral strategy Mano a Mano, hand in hand, aimed at combating multidimensional poverty and malnutrition by coordinating public institutions and implementing comprehensive interventions with a territorial, evidence-based approach. Education and health are at the core of this strategy. In education, we are promoting teaching in national languages and also making progress on the digital transformation of the education system. Moreover, health services and infrastructure is being strengthened with particular focus on the needs of communities. Guatemala recognizes the challenges posed by transnational organized crime for security, the rule of law and democratic institutions. We therefore believe it is essential to strengthen crime prevention, access to justice, international cooperation and institutional capacities to combat organized crime, human trafficking, corruption and other forms of transnational crime. Mr. Chair. Our national commitment is shown in our readiness to maintain active cooperation with the international human rights mechanisms of the United Nations. During 2026, Guatemala has received two visits from special procedures in the context of a constructive dialogue aimed at strengthening public policies and institutional capacities, while promoting the protection of those who defend human rights so that they can do their work in a safe, free and independent way. As a country of origin, transit, destination, and return, Guatemala recognizes the need to address migration from a human rights perspective and a perspective of shared responsibility. The country continues to implement its migration policy through assistance and protection services, promoting regular labor migration pathways and improving the care and reintegration of Guatemalan returnees. We are also maintaining mechanisms to provide assistance for those requesting refugee status and strengthening actions to prevent and combat human trafficking, as well as to protect and provide comprehensive care for victims. Safe, orderly, regular human mobility that respects human rights requires international cooperation, shared responsibility, and responses that address their different dimensions. Mr. Chair, Guatemala is grateful to the United Nations, its agencies, funds and programs for their support, and also to friendly countries who are contributing to development efforts, strengthening institutions, the promotion and protection of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Faced with our current challenges, Guatemala calls for a strengthening of dialogue, international cooperation and universal respect for human rights. It is necessary to promote a multilateralism that puts people at the center of it, that strengthens institutions and which contributes to more inclusive, democratic and peaceful societies. Guatemala will continue to work constructively with the Member States and with the United Nations system to achieve this goal. Thank you very much.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Guatemala. I now pass the floor to the Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan and a special welcome. I know you presented your credentials to the Secretary-General yesterday. The Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan.

Mr. Chair, allow me to congratulate you too and the other members of the Bureau on your election and assure you of our full support. We meet at a time when global challenges are directly affecting people's lives and rights. Against this background, I would like to highlight several areas that Kyrgyzstan considers particularly important for the work of the CERD Committee. First, social development must remain at the center of our collective efforts. Economic growth must translate into better education and healthcare, decent employment, stronger social protection, and greater opportunities for all. particularly those most vulnerable to poverty, exclusion, and inequality. This approach guides our policies in Kyrgyzstan, including the education development program for 2021-2040 and measures to expand opportunities for low-income families. Social development also cannot be separated from climate change and environmental degradation. As a mountainous country, Kyrgyzstan calls for greater attention to the specific vulnerabilities of mountain communities and stronger links between climate action, social development, and human security. Second, advancing the rights and opportunities for women and girls requires sustained action. Kyrgyzstan is implementing its national strategy on gender equality until 2030 and has ratified ILO Convention number 190 on violence and harassment. Women now account for more than 33% of members of parliament, the highest level in the country's history. During its membership in the Human Rights Council, Kyrgyzstan successfully advanced resolution on women's economic empowerment. Sustainable peace also requires meaningful participation of women and young people in conflict prevention, mediation, and peace building. As an elected member of the United Nations Security Council for 2027-28, Kyrgyzstan will continue promoting both the women, peace, and security and youth, peace, and security agendas. Third, protecting the rights and well-being of children requires our continued attention. Artificial intelligence, social media, and digital platforms offer enormous opportunities, but also expose children to new forms of exploitation, violence, and harmful content. A safer digital environment should go hand in hand with ensuring that children can fully benefit from education, information, and technological progress. In Kyrgyzstan, we are expanding digital educational infrastructure and strengthening measures against online violence. In 2025, we also adopted an action plan for 2025-2028 to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. Fourth, displacement and statelessness continue to deprive millions of people of security, legal protection, and access to basic rights. In 2019, Kyrgyzstan became the first country in the world to resolve all known cases of statelessness in its territory. We have continued to improve citizenship procedures and in 2024 introduced an interagency digital mechanism for the registration of newborn children. Kyrgyzstan is also working to introduce machine-readable travel documents for officially recognized refugees in accordance with international standards. We highly value the role of UNHCR in these efforts. Mr. Chair, finally, the promotion and protection of human rights remain a shared responsibility and fundamental pillar of the United Nations. The international human rights system must be guided by universality, objectivity, non-selectivity, and equal treatment of states, accompanied by genuine national implementation of international obligations. In April 2025, Kyrgyzstan presented its national report under the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review and supported 200 49 of the 299 recommendations received. Having served three terms as a member of the Human Rights Council, Kyrgyzstan remains committed to constructive engagement with OHCHR and treaty bodies and special procedures. Mr. Chair, across the many issues before the third committee, we must remain focused on our common purpose, protecting human dignity and improving people's lives. Kyrgyzstan remains committed to constructive dialogue and cooperation with the United Nations and stands ready to work with all delegations in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. Thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan. I now give the floor to Pakistan, followed by Liechtenstein. Distinguished representative of Pakistan, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Congratulations on assuming the chairmanship. You can rest assured of our full support, cooperation, and constructive engagement. Pakistan aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Group of 77 and China. The UN Charter and Universal Declaration on Human Rights make a profound promise that every human being, irrespective of geography, race, religion, or circumstance, is entitled to live in freedom, equality, and dignity. Over the decades, we have built an elaborate architecture to uphold that promise through various declarations, conventions, institutions and mechanisms. Yet, the greatest challenge facing the international human rights system today is not a shortage of norms. It is the growing gap between principle and practice, between commitments and implementation, and too often, between the rights we defend and the rights we choose to overlook. Across the world, Conflicts and foreign occupation are devastating lives. Racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia are becoming normalized. Poverty and inequality continue to deny millions of their basic rights. Modern technologies are creating unprecedented opportunities, but also new forms of exclusion and discrimination. If the human rights system is to retain its credibility, then universality must mean universality, not selectivity. Chair, the value of a human life cannot depend on nationality, religion, or political expediency. International law cannot be invoked vigorously in one situation and disregarded in another. Accountability cannot be demanded by some while impunity is tolerated by others. Nowhere is this contradiction more painfully visible than in situations of foreign occupation. The immense suffering of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza, remains a defining test of our collective conscience. Civilians must be protected. Humanitarian assistance must reach those in need without impediment. International law must be upheld and accountability ensured. Above all, the Palestinian people must finally realize their inalienable right to self-determination. This same principle of self-determination applies to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. For nearly eight decades, Kashmiris have awaited implementation of Security Council resolutions providing for the final disposition of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir through a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices. Since 5th of August 2019, India's unilateral and illegal actions in occupied Jammu and Kashmir have been accompanied by intensified repression, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, and unlawful attempts to alter the demographic and political character of the occupied territory. Arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances, restrictions on expression and peaceful assembly, and demographic engineering cannot become acceptable merely because they persist over time. The occupying power must be held accountable for its gross and systematic violations of human rights. Chair, universality also requires us to reject artificial hierarchies amongst human rights. Freedom from fear cannot be separated from freedom from want. For a child without food, a family without shelter, or a community without access to healthcare or education, dignity cannot remain an abstract promise. Yet developing countries confront shrinking fiscal space, unsustainable debt, climate shocks, and widening technological divides. The international economic and financial architecture too often perpetuates rather than corrects these inequalities. Therefore, development financing, climate justice, technology transfer, and reform of international financial architecture must form part of this endeavor. The right to development must occupy its rightful place on the international human rights agenda. It is an inalienable human right and an essential condition for the realization of all other rights. Pakistan looks forward to the adoption of the International Covenant on the Right to Development, translating a longstanding commitment into a stronger framework for international cooperation. Human dignity is equally undermined when people are targeted because of their faith or identity. Pakistan remains deeply concerned by the normalization of Islamophobia, manifested through hate speech, discrimination, desecration of sacred symbols, and attacks against Muslims and their places of worship. The designation of 15th March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia at Pakistan's initiative on behalf of the OIC and the appointment of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy were important achievements. We must now translate recognition into sustained action. including comprehensive measures at the UN to combat Islamophobia and promote mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. The test of inclusion is ultimately whether progress reaches those most at risk of being left behind. Technological transformation, including artificial intelligence, can dramatically expand access to education, healthcare, and opportunity. But without equitable access and responsible governance, it can also deepen existing divides. Technology must therefore remain human-centered, inclusive, and accessible, and developing countries must be equal participants in sharing and benefiting from it. In this spirit, on 2nd September, the General Assembly adopted by consensus a landmark resolution on access to assistive technology led by Pakistan. By promoting access to assistive products, devices, and services for persons with disabilities, older persons, and persons with health conditions who need them, This initiative represents a practical contribution towards building societies in which everyone can participate fully and independently. Chairman, Pakistan's own national vision remains anchored in human dignity, social justice, equality, and inclusion. Internationally, we will continue to favor dialogue over confrontation and cooperation over politicization. Our task is not merely to reaffirm rights, it is to make them real. We must close the distance between the promises made here at the UN and the reality outside it, between our outrage in some situations and silence and others, and between those who enjoy the protection of international norms and those still waiting for their fulfilment. Pakistan will continue to work for a world where dignity is not determined by power, justice is not conditioned by politics, development is not a privilege, and no people are left waiting indefinitely for rights already promised to them. That is the universality envisioned by the Charter, and that is the credibility we must restore. I thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Pakistan, and I now give the floor to the representative of Liechtenstein, followed by Slovenia. Liechtenstein, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Let me also start by congratulating you and the members of the Bureau on your election. We are confident that we are in very good hands for the session of the Third Committee. Human rights are one of the three pillars of the United Nations, alongside peace and security and sustainable development. As we look ahead to the continuation of discussions on UN reform, we must ensure that all our actions are firmly grounded in this understanding. Upholding and advancing human rights is an essential foundation for everything we do to strengthen the organization's relevance and effectiveness in the years to come. Yet the ongoing UNAD reform process has so far engaged only lightly with human rights issues. even though this remains the least funded pillar of the organization's work and, in the view of many member states, the one most consistently overlooked in reform discussions. Liechtenstein believes that 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 spoke directly to the work of this very committee, most notably with regards to the need to improve cooperation and coordination with the Human Rights Council. In this regard, Liechtenstein welcomes the roadmap of the 3C and HRC Bureau as a first important step and looks forward to continuing this conversation with all delegations and how we can ensure that our work avoids unnecessary overlap and repetition while remaining meaningful and impactful. Chair, the UN system can only fulfill and effectively deliver on its human rights mandate with the necessary financial means. As the donor with the highest per capita voluntary contributions, Liechtenstein remains committed to supporting the important work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which already relies heavily on voluntary funding. The human rights pillar has historically received less than 7% of the UN's regular budget and less than 1% of overall UN expenditure. We remain concerned about the continued disproportionate cuts to the already underfunded human rights pillar in the 2027 budget proposal, in which OHCHR is the third most affected budget post. The continuous cuts have detrimental impact across the human rights pillar, including on the meeting time of UN treaty bodies, the number of country visits by UN special procedures, and the number of OHCHR field officers on the ground. Adequate funding for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and for UN human rights mechanisms is not only essential for justice and accountability, but also for the UN's credibility and for its effectiveness of its work in peace, security and development. Chair, nowhere is the urgency of grounding our work in human rights more evident than in the governance of artificial intelligence. Over recent years, we have witnessed mounting harm from AI, ranging from the generation of sexualized deepfake imagery to the deployment in surveillance as well as in automated warfare, with little to no transparency, let alone accountability. Frontier models have more recently also been implicated in a widening set of highly mediatized incidents. These are not isolated technical failures. They are a preview of what unregulated deployment of increasingly powerful systems can mean for the promotion and protection of human rights and human dignity. Last month, the High Commissioner for Human Rights warned us that artificial intelligence represents an existential risk and that we are on the cusp of irreversible change affecting generations to come. Even the leaders of the most powerful and well-capitalized companies have echoed these calls for more regulation. Liechtenstein believes that the UN has a central role in ensuring that AI governance is grounded in international human rights law, and we echo the High Commissioner's calls for meaningful action to close the narrowing window of opportunity to get this right. Mr. Chair, sexual and gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive and persistent human rights violations of our time, and one of the clearest illustrations of the gap between legal commitments and lived reality. It is not a problem confined to conflict zones. The Gender Snapshot 2025 reminds us that even in peacetime, around 12.5% of women globally experience intimate partner violence, and countries with comprehensive measures on violence covering laws, policies, services, prevention and data record rates 2.5 times lower than those with weak protections. 30 years after Beijing, the lesson is unambiguous. Without comprehensive legal framework, sustained investment and genuine political will, commitments to end violence against women remain aspirational rather than real. Against that background, Liechtenstein remains a committed state party to the Istanbul Convention. To further increase our effort to combat gender-based violence, Liechtenstein now offers forensic nursing consultations to survivors of domestic violence. This year's Commission on the Status of Women offered a timely opportunity to advance both prevention and accountability. The CSW 70 agreed conclusions focus on access to justice for all women and girls, calling governments to strengthen legal frameworks, address structural barriers, and ensure accountability for perpetrators of gender-based violence. Liechtenstein was proud to co-facilitate this outcome and to help secure a text that reflects a shared recognition that justice must be accessible and survivor-centered. Mr. Chair, the right to self-determination is a cornerstone of the UN Charter and a prerequisite for the genuine enjoyment of human rights. As climate scientists have warned us for many years, that right is threatened not only by political repression, but by the physical erosion of the conditions on which it depends. Sea level rise poses an existential challenge not just to the territories of small island developing states, but to the political agency, cultural continuity, and legal standing of their peoples. The ICJ's advisory opinion of July 2025 affirmed that the disappearance of a state's constituent elements does not necessarily entail the loss of statehood. Liechtenstein strongly believes that including in the most extreme circumstances, all affected countries and states retain the right to self-determination. We therefore strongly welcome the recent adoption of the political declaration on sea level rise, which underscored that sovereignty, UN membership, and maritime entitlements must be preserved consistently with international law, regardless of physical changes to territory. I thank you.

Thank you, Liechtenstein. I now pass the floor to the distinguished representative of Slovenia, followed by Australia. Slovenia, you have the floor.

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, thank you for giving me the opportunity to address this committee today on behalf of the Slovenian youth. I would like to start my remarks with a simple statement: We are youth. Why? Young people with a voice that deserves to be heard. O, owning our choices, our attention, and our future. U, united by the dignity and rights we all share. T, thinking freely and questioning critically. H, holding on to our humanity as technology transforms our lives. This year's call to restore trust and manage transformation speaks directly to all of us. but especially to my generation, because transformation is not something we are waiting for, we are already living it. Technology has given us extraordinary opportunities to learn, connect, create, and participate. But the digital world is no longer separated from our lives. It is a part of the environment which we grow up in, build relationships, and develop our sense of who we are. And this is why digital safety and mental health can no longer be treated as separate issues and cannot be ignored. A 2026 Eurobarometer survey found that young people across Europe on average spent four and a half hours online on school days and more than six hours a day at weekends. 14% of adolescents report spending more than 10 hours a day on screens. And one in three young people say social media leaves them feeling stressed, sad, or excluded. These statistics are not an argument against technology. Technology itself is not the enemy. But this data should make us ask ourselves some more important question. Are the environments we are creating truly designed with youth's well-being in mind? The way digital environments are designed mattered. Algorithms influence what we see. Platforms compete for our attention. Artificial intelligence is increasingly influenced how we learn, communicate, and understand information. Young people, therefore, have to learn how to recognize manipulation and disinformation, understand the digital environments in which we participate, and use artificial intelligence responsibly. But we also need something more fundamental. We need to retain our ability to think, question, and decide for ourselves. And this conversation cannot end up with digital safety. Digital world is directly or indirectly linked to mental health. Protecting mental health cannot begin only when a young person reaches a crisis. It means prevention. It means accessible support. It means strong communities, relationships, and a sense of belonging. And most importantly, it means creating environments both online and offline where young people do not have to jeopardize their well-being in order to keep up. At the same time, the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe reported in 2025 that across Europe, more than 30 million and around one in seven children and adolescents aged up to 19 are living with a mental health condition. Among adolescents aged 15 to 19, that rises to more than one in five. These challenges connect directly with the Slovenian government's priorities on human rights, including the rights of children, cybersecurity, and the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence. Protecting alone is not enough. Young people must also have the power to shape the transformation around us. If decisions concern our education, our mental health, our digital lives and our future, include us while those decisions can still be influenced. Give us access to information, give us meaningful opportunities to contribute and show us how our contributions are reflected in the decisions that follow. Because participation without meaningful outcomes and feedbacks does little to restore trust. Mr. Chair, we are living through a period of profound transformation. The challenge before us is not to stop that transformation, but to decide which values we carry with us through it. Human dignity, human rights, solidarity, critical thinking. Technological progress should never replace those values. They should be the driving force that guide it. And this brings me back to where I began. We are youth. We are ready to think critically, participate meaningfully, and take responsibility for the future we all share seriously. But that future requires governments, international organizations, communities, and all generations, including young people, to work together. Together, we can build a future where technology strengthens rather than diminishes our humanity, where technological progress supports our physical and mental well-being, and where young people are empowered to shape it. Let us protect what makes us human while building what comes next. And let us build it together. Thank you.

Thank you, Slovenia. And I give the floor to Australia, followed by Costa Rica. Australia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. This year, we commemorate the international human rights system we have built while being honest about the many challenges that continue to confront it. It was 60 years ago that the two core human rights covenants were adopted to stand alongside the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. From the devastation of World War II, these instruments affirmed that all humans are born free and equal, no matter who you are, where you live, or your beliefs. That all human beings are born with inherent rights, and that all states have a legal obligation to respect, protect, and fulfill these rights. It was 20 years ago that the Human Rights Council was established, with additional mechanisms and tools to strengthen states' abilities to meet their human rights obligations. The Universal Periodic Review provides an important member-driven opportunity for states to reflect on their progress across the full spectrum of human rights. And the Council created strong, independent investigative bodies and fact-finding missions, which have played an essential role in monitoring and documenting abuses and violations of human rights worldwide. For Australia, 2026 also marks 40 years since the establishment of the Australian Human Rights Commission. National human rights institutions are a critical piece of the human rights architecture, helping to translate international commitments into a daily reality for all people. But the challenges confronting them and our daily lives are changing. New and emerging technologies, including AI, offer enormous opportunities, but they also carry significant risks for human rights. As emerging technologies develop, we must ensure there are appropriate safeguards in place. Climate change poses another profound challenge. Every nation is affected, but our region is at the front line. For our Pacific neighbors, who have contributed the least to climate change, this is not a distant warning, but a daily reality. The human rights consequences posed by climate change demand strong and decisive action from all of us. The reach of repression is also changing. Australia is concerned by the growing use of transnational repression to harm, intimidate and silence dissidents, journalists, human rights defenders and diaspora groups. Such conduct undermines human rights, national security and state sovereignty. States must not use domestic legislation to target their human rights critics, including extraterritorially. Alongside these modern challenges are longstanding ones. Across the world, grave and unacceptable human rights abuses and violations persist. Russia's invasion of Ukraine demonstrates its contempt for human rights. Australia is appalled by consistent reports of systemic torture, forced disappearances, summary executions, sexual violence and the deportation of Ukrainian children. We are disturbed by recent reports of civilians being deprived of food and medicine supplies in temporarily Russian-occupied areas, including Oleshky. We reject Russia's attempts to normalise its occupation by holding sham elections on Ukrainian territory this year. Australia condemns Iran's brutal campaign of arbitrary arrests and the use of forced confessions, torture and the death penalty to silence dissent and political opposition. We call on Iran to uphold the human rights of all its people, including minority groups and women and girls. In Sudan, civilians, particularly women and children, continue to live in an intolerable situation. We are gravely concerned by the reported, repeated patterns of human rights abuses committed during this conflict. Escalating violence, including widespread and systemic sexual and gender-based violence, and drone strikes on essential services are unacceptable. In Afghanistan, the Taliban continues its ongoing systemic campaign of oppression targeting women and girls, ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTIQIA+ persons and civil society actors. Nearly 22 million Afghans are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Australia calls on the Taliban to reverse its oppressive edicts against women and girls, respect and promote human rights of all Afghans, and comply with Afghanistan's obligations under international law. It has been more than nine years since the Myanmar military launched targeted attacks against Rohingya communities in Rakhine State, causing mass displacement, widespread human rights violations and abuses, and enduring suffering. We call for an immediate cessation of violence, the release of those unjustly detained, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and inclusive dialogue. We remain gravely concerned by ongoing human rights violations, including forced labour in Xinjiang and Tibet, the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, and the human rights implications of China's ethnic unity law. Consistent with international law and norms, governments should not interfere in the selection of religious leaders, including the Dalai Lama. In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, we are disturbed by continued reports of the regime's brutal suppression of human rights. This includes widespread use of forced labour and gender-based violence by the state. and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of those who have been forcibly repatriated, particularly women and girls. The DPRK must abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which are pursued at the expense of meeting the urgent humanitarian needs of its people. We remain gravely concerned by the human rights situation in Gaza. We repeat calls for the protection of civilians, including aid workers, and for full, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access. We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas and their ongoing attacks of terror, and reaffirm that they must disarm and play no role in Palestine. And in the West Bank, we are alarmed at escalating violence against civilians and the rampant advancement of illegal settlements. Australia has been clear in our opposition to the Israeli government's E1 settlement plan. We once again urge Israel to take immediate action to uphold human rights, end impunity for settler violence, and cease illegal settlement expansion. Chair, these situations differ in history and circumstances, but the principle at stake is the same. Universal human rights must apply equally to all people without distinction of any kind. Australia unequivocally condemns prejudice, hatred or discrimination of any kind, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, in Australia and around the world. We will continue to press for an end to oppression of women and girls and to sexual and gender-based violence, including in Iran, the DPRK, Sudan and Afghanistan. We deplore the Taliban's sustained campaign to erase women and girls from public life. Together with Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, Australia is pursuing action to hold Afghanistan to account for violations under the Taliban of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. In many parts of the world, LGBTIQIA+ persons continue to face violence, discrimination and persecution, including with offences punishable by death. There can be no justification for this. Indigenous peoples must be able to exercise their rights globally and participate in matters that affect them. Australia welcomes the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples' proposed country visit in November and, consistent with our ongoing approach, will engage constructively and transparently on challenges affecting First Nations peoples. Chair, we must defend the people who defend human rights. Civic space is shrinking and some states seek to repress dissent and punish those that speak out or engage with UN experts and mechanisms. In 2025, some 950 human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists were killed or forcibly disappeared worldwide. This is unacceptable. Australia reiterates its long-standing and principled opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances for all people. Its effects are irrevocable and it disproportionately affects people living in poverty, people with intellectual disabilities or mental health conditions, people living with drug dependence, Indigenous peoples, minorities and people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. No country has a perfect human rights record, but that is not a reason to lower our expectations. We must work together to address national, regional, and global human rights challenges through collective scrutiny, accountability, and action, and maintain efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, grounded in human rights and the principles of leaving no one behind. As we pursue reform through the UN80 initiative, we must engage constructively to find much needed efficiencies across the system. But efficiency is a means, not an end. We must also protect what works, strengthen what matters, and ensure that human rights remain our compass to a fairer, safer, and more prosperous.

World.

Thank you, Australia. I now pass to Costa Rica, followed by Yemen. Costa Rica, you have the floor.

Senor President.

Chair, the world in 2026 is profoundly different to the one that gave rise to the existence of the United Nations, but the promise that underpins this organization is still intact, protecting the dignity and rights of all people. Making good on this promise means that we must recognize that human dignity cannot be guaranteed in isolation. It requires peace, opportunities for development, and full respect for human rights. There should be a balance to guide the reform process of the United Nations and the three pillars of this organization should receive equal priority and adequate funding. The UN80 initiative is an opportunity for building a more efficient and cohesive organization, but also an opportunity to strengthen its capacity to actually fulfill the mandates that member states have handed down. The proposals for reorganization, consolidation, and realignment should not be measured only by efficiencies that can be generated, but rather by their ability to strengthen implementation of mandates and the ability to translate into improved results for people. Ultimately, a more efficient organization should also be an organization that is able to protect individuals. Chair, in this regard, for this session, Costa Rica will continue to defend those facing the greatest vulnerabilities. Women, boys and girls, indigenous communities, those of African descent, persons in rural and coastal areas, elderly people and those with disabilities, with special attention to people with autism. We will be advocating for their inclusion and autonomy and for their effective participation in economic life. In the defense, this defense of human dignity also requires reaffirming those principles that Costa Rica has historically supported against the most irreversible forms of violence against any individual. My country reaffirms its commitment to promoting the universal abolition of the death penalty and to the elimination of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. In 2025, still more than 50 countries apply the death penalty. Thousands of individuals were waiting in the corridors of death without due process. Humanity cannot advance when violence is confused with justice. True security is human security. This stems from the enforcement of the rule of law and defending dignity. In this regard, the prevention of crime requires greater efforts internationally. and also within states against threats that empower the violation of human rights, such as human trafficking, drugs trafficking, organized crime, cyber crime, illegal mining, and the illicit manufacture of weapons. Organized crime most directly impacts those in situations of vulnerability. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 74% of the dealers that were analyzed or traffickers operate within structures of organized crime. Children are vulnerable to this phenomenon. In the last two decades, boys and girls went from being 13% to 38% of the victims of trafficking detected globally. This concern that It affects sexual exploitation of boys and girls in contexts of travel and tourism. This affects people in all regions of the world and it facilitates cross-border sexual crimes, including by individuals previously sentenced for sexual crimes. This and the other faces of organized crime undermine the exercise of human rights and cause territorial disputes. They capture illicit economies and they corrode democratic institutions and erode public trust. In addition to this situation, we have the acceleration of technological development. Technology and AI offer extraordinary opportunities, but they also broaden the capacity of these criminal networks. This challenge goes beyond security. While these technologies are advancing in an unprecedented manner, to point to million people are still 2.8 billion people are still disconnected from the internet. The digital transformation should close gaps rather than broadening them, and it should continue to serve to serve people and their rights. Chair, a world that is changing at this speed needs a United Nations that is able to adapt and to respond. Reform must go beyond institutional adjustments and requires leadership that is able to manage with a clear vision of an organization that is more useful, more agile, and more accountable. In this context, Costa Rica has presented the candidacy of Rebecca Grinspan to Secretary General of the United Nations, a woman who believes in peace, in development, and human rights as principles that are not open to compromise. A woman that is able to renew and strengthen this organization, a woman who has forged consensus and inspires hope, and a woman who leads with empathy without giving up on being firm. We believe that the next Secretary General should be a woman and a woman from Central America. Costa Rica has shown that states, even though they may be small, they can still make a meaningful contribution We will be leading with action, and Rebecca has reflected this culture of dialogue and peace. This is how multilateralism should operate. This is how we will be able to proceed, and this is how we can demonstrate that we are united and that this is our common home. I thank you.

Thank you, Costa Rica. I now pass to the representative of Yemen, followed by the Permanent Representative of Lithuania. Yemen, you have the floor.

Mr. Chairman, allow me at the outset to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau on your chairmanship, and we wish you and the members of the Bureau all the success during this session. Mr. Chairman, the Government of Yemen welcomes the outcome of the Second World Summit for Social Development and the Doha Political Declaration. as a renewal to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and its Programme of Action and its three pillars. We look forward to translating these commitments to practical measures supported by means of implementation and financing that take into consideration the priorities and needs of developing nations, in particular LDCs. so that countries may progress tangibly towards sustainable development. In this regard, we emphasize the role of the family as the building block of society and one of the most important elements of social cohesion and stability. Mr. Chairman, in As Yemen faces challenges because of the war launched by the terrorist Houthi militia since 2014, and in particular the recent escalation in Marib, Taiz, and the western coast, and Bab el-Mandab, the humanitarian situation has become immense. In this regard, the Yemeni government is exerting special efforts to protect the most vulnerable, most important among which are women, children, persons with disabilities, and elder persons, and we work to guarantee their enjoyment of rights without discrimination. We are committed to implementing multiple government policies and strategies in this regard, including the National Plan on Child Protection for 2026 to 2029, as well as the Strategic Framework for Social Protection 2025 to 2030. The government is also implementing the national plan to implement the women, peace and security agenda. And we have also launched the National Strategy for Health 2026 to 2030 as the national framework to reform the health sector and promote its capability and the quality of its services in order to support our pursuit of universal health coverage in Yemen. Mr. Chairman, the Republic of Yemen reiterates its commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms and our international obligations in this field. And we emphasize that the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council is a comprehensive framework to review the human rights situations in member states. In this regard, we emphasize our full cooperation with the National Commission to investigate alleged human rights violations in Yemen as a national independent mechanism that carries out a fundamental role to monitor and address violations and to promote justice, equality, rule of law, and justice for victims. The areas controlled by the terrorist Houthi militias are witnessing continued serious violations of human rights. They include abduction, killing, detention, maltreatment, and physical and psychological torture, in addition to restricting freedoms and oppressing freedom of expression, in addition to imposing illegal taxes and confiscating public property and private property, including violations such as recruiting children and forcing them to combat in battlegrounds. The Government of Yemen condemns these practices in the harshest terms, and we emphasize the need to guarantee accountability and to work for justice for victims and for non-recurrence of these violations. We also express our deep concern that these militias continue to detain 73 UN staff members, including UN staff members, 10 from the UNICEF and a number of international organization, uh, personnel and, um, diplomats, um, and, um… civil society personnel as well. We emphasize in this regard that these practices represent a violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and undermine the UN's ability and humanitarian partners' ability to carry out their work and to reach the most needing segments. And we emphasize here our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees and allowing humanitarian workers to reach all parts of Yemen. Mr. Chairman, the Republic of Yemen reiterates once again the centrality of the Palestinian question, and we reiterate our firm position in support of the inalienable and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, at the foremost of which is the right to self-determination and an independent state on the borders of 1967. 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital as per UN resolutions and the Arab peace initiative. My country denounces and condemns in the harshest terms the continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the systemic violations in the different parts of the occupied Palestinian territory. We categorically reject any attempt to forcibly displace the Palestinian people or to alter the demographic nature of the Palestinian territory. including East Jerusalem. And we, in particular, also condemn the settlement expansion and the settler attacks against Palestinian civilians and the attempts to annex land in violation of international law and in a manner that undermines the Palestinian right to self-determination. And these acts threaten directly the viability of a two-state solution and a fair and lasting peace in the region. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I thank the representative of Yemen and I'll now pass the floor to the distinguished permanent representative of Lithuania, who will be followed by the representative of Kazakhstan. Lithuania, you have the floor.

Thank you. Let me start by congratulating personally you, Mr. President, and the Bureau, and express Lithuania's full support for your important work in guiding the human rights agenda in this committee. Lithuania stands strongly to the principle that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent, and interconnected. Like many countries represented here, we believe that major human rights violations should belong to history. Yet today, this committee must once again invite countries to work together and address grave and persistent human rights challenges across the globe. The ongoing crisis, such as in Iran, the DPRK, Myanmar, Sudan, Gaza, and Afghanistan, Immense human suffering in Ukraine, caused by Russia and its accomplices, human rights concerns in China, underscore the urgent need to strengthen and protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Ending impunity and ensuring accountability remains essential for protecting human rights and strengthening the rules-based international order. This responsibility is particularly urgent as certain states continue to violate the UN Charter, disregard international law, weaponize repressions, and inflict immense human suffering. This year marks the fifth year of Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, a blatant violation of the UN Charter and a war marked by systematic disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law. Deliberate and widespread attacks against civilians have claimed thousands of lives, including those of children. The UN recorded the highest civilian casualties figures since 2022 in July and August this year. As winter approaches, Ukrainians are already facing intensified, deliberate attacks on critical civilian infrastructure. Russia's aggression continues to result in loss of life, family separation, and grave human rights violations. We remain particularly concerned by mounting evidence and documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence against prisoners of war and civilian detainees, including children, that are also documented in Secretary-General's report on conflict-related sexual violence. Reports by OHCHR continue to document torture, ill treatment, sexual violence, inhuman detention conditions, and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Children in Ukraine remain especially vulnerable. Enforced disappearances, deportations, and forcible transfers are followed by indoctrination and militarization aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity. As concluded by the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, These acts may amount to crimes against humanity. Lithuania remains committed to securing the safe return, rehabilitation, and reintegration of Ukrainian children. In light of this dire context, we call on all member states to support Ukraine's annual resolution entitled "Situation of Human Rights in the Territory in Temporary Occupied Territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol." Lithuania also strongly supports the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and commends the significant preparatory work carried out this year. The human rights situation in Russia continues to deteriorate. Dissent is systematically suppressed, while disinformation campaigns target audiences both within Russia and abroad. As highlighted by the Special Rapporteur, Russian authorities increasingly extend repression beyond their borders through transnational practices. Mr. President, we reject Russia's attempt to manipulate UN mechanisms and resolutions, including the annual resolution on combating the glorification of Nazism, to justify its aggression against Ukraine and to distort historical memory. The credibility of efforts to combat Nazism are regretfully undermined when pursued by a state whose own record gives rise to serious concern in this area. Lithuania is firmly committed to combat all forms of racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and intolerance while standing against historical revisionism and imperial aggression. We urge all states to consider this malicious resolution with the utmost care and to look beyond its stated intentions to the hypocrisy that it conceals. Lithuania remains gravely concerned by ongoing systematic human rights violations in Belarus, including political repressions, degrading detention conditions, and the systematic use of torture. We call for the immediate release and rehabilitation of all political prisoners and urge Belarus to end the persecution of civil society and human rights defenders. We are also concerned by the forced expulsion of released prisoners and the continued use of political prisoners as instruments of political bargaining. Another matter of concern in Belarus is the continued instrumentalization of migrants. This deliberate practice complete with the attempts to misuse UN mechanisms for misinformation purposes must come to an end. We strongly condemn the ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan. The systematic state-imposed exclusion of women and girls from education, employment, and public life represents one of the most severe forms of institutionalized gender-based discrimination in the world today. Lithuania remains firmly committed to the rights of women and girls and to advancing their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights. In line with the Security Council Resolution 1325 and broader women, peace, and security agenda, we call for their full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation and leadership in all decision-making, including peace and security processes, as well as stronger action to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including conflict-related sexual violence, and to ensure accountability for such violations. We also remain committed to ensuring the safety of journalists and media workers. Across conflict zones, those reporting the truth increasingly face intimidation, harassment and violence. They must be able to report freely and safely, both online and offline. This year, we mark the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Lithuania is committed to improving the situation of persons with disabilities by expanding accessible infrastructure and services, strengthening inclusive education, increasing employment opportunities, promoting independent living, and ensuring equal access to healthcare, social protection, and public life. Mr. Chair, Lithuania remains a steadfast supporter of the UN human rights system and the global human rights architecture. At a time of growing challenges, a strong and effective UN human rights system is more important than ever. Lithuania is committed to strengthening the UN human rights agenda, including through the UNHRC reform process, with a focus on delivering tangible results, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. I thank you.

I thank the permanent representative of Lithuania, and I now pass the floor to Kazakhstan.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, on behalf of the delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I extend our sincere congratulations to you, Mr. Chair, and to the members of the Bureau on your election. We assure you of our full support and cooperation as you guide the vital work of the Third Committee. We gather at a time of profound global challenges that test the foundations of our multilateral system. In this context, the work of the third committee, which champions the dignity and rights of every individual, has never been more critical. Kazakhstan is committed to promoting and protecting all human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and core international human rights instruments. while actively advancing constitutional and political modernization to uphold them. We advocate a balanced, constructive, and non-politicized approach based on dialogue, mutual respect, recognizing that human rights, peace, and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing. Our new constitution reflects the current political and legal stage of development, enshrining the values of a just Kazakhstan, the concept of law and order, and the robust guarantees of human rights and freedoms, while reinforcing the foundation of national sustainable development through a stronger focus on human dignity, human capital, education, innovation, and environmental responsibility. Kazakhstan attaches great importance to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. We continue to support the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, advancing policies that expand equal opportunities, eliminate gender-based violence and strengthen women's participation in decision-making. We remain committed to promoting the rights, dignity and full participation of persons with disabilities in all areas of society. Kazakhstan will persist in supporting universal accessibility, inclusive education, equal employment opportunities, and the effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Kazakhstan recognizes young people as essential partners in building peaceful and resilient societies. We pledge to promote meaningful youth participation in governments, civic engagement, and international cooperation, including through the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda. Protecting the rights of children remains a priority for Kazakhstan. Building on the success of UN Human Rights Council Resolution 54/5, ensuring equality education in the spirit of peace and tolerance for all children adopted in 2023 as the initiative of Kazakhstan. We plan to launch a draft resolution titled The Role of Education in the Reintegration of Children and in Vulnerable Situations as a contribution to a culture of peace. during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. This initiative aims to make a practical contribution to the international efforts regarding child protection, violence prevention, and the fostering of a culture of peace. Kazakhstan remains committed to inter-religion and inter-cultural dialogue to foster mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. We are dedicated to hosting the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions as a unique platform uniting spiritual leaders and policymakers in advancing dialogue, tolerance, and peace. Dear colleagues, building a just society is a continuous journey. We are candid about our challenges and resolute in addressing them through open dialogue, engagement with civic society, and steadfast cooperation with our international partners. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the collective work of the third committee and stand ready to share our experience and learn from others as we strive to build a world where the dignity and rights of people are protected. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Kazakhstan and I call on the representative of Albania, followed by Monaco. Albania, you have the floor.

by congratulating you and members of the Bureau on your election. Albania assures you of its full support as you guide the work of the Committee. Albania aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. At the same time, I would like to add a few remarks in my national capacity, reflecting Albania's national experience and priorities. The international human rights landscape remains deeply challenging, and conflicts and humanitarian crises continue to take a heavy toll on civilians, while discrimination, inequality, and the restrictions on fundamental freedoms persist across the world. At the same time, technological transformation is reshaping our societies at unprecedented speed. For Albania, the protection and promotion of human rights is not only an international responsibility, it is a fundamental principle of our democratic society and an essential part of our vision for a peaceful, inclusive and secure Europe. Mr. Chair, Albania firmly believes that human rights are universal, indivisible, and interdependent. Our own history provides a powerful reminder of this truth. Albania knows what it means to live without political freedoms, meaningful civic space, and the full protection of fundamental rights. Our transformation has demonstrated the importance of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and international cooperation. As a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2024-2026, Albania has placed particular emphasis on accountability, combating impunity, preventing violations, and strengthening the meaningful participation of civil society, women, and young people. We believe that human rights are not only an end in themselves. They are also essential tools for conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustaining peace. In this context, Albania reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Russia's ongoing war of aggression continues to inflict profound human cost, particularly on civilians. Albania supports international efforts to document violations, preserve evidence, and ensure accountability for international crimes. Justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators are indispensable elements of sustainable peace. The situation in Gaza remains challenging. Albania calls for the protection of civilians, full respect for international humanitarian law, and unhindered humanitarian access. Albania is contributing on the ground through its participation in the International Stabilization Force for Gaza as a concrete contribution to peace and security, humanitarian assistance, and reconstruction. Mr. Chair. Allow me to underline three areas of particular importance to Albania. First, women, peace and security. Women participation in peace and security is not simply a matter of representation. It's essential to conflict prevention, sustainable peace and resilient societies. Women must have a meaningful role at every stage, from prevention and mediation to peacekeeping, peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery. We cannot speak about women, peace and security without speaking about Afghanistan, women and girls five years after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Their inclusion from public life cannot be accepted as a pathway to peace, stability, or sustainable development. The rights, dignity, and meaningful participation of Afghan women and girls are essential to the future of Afghanistan. Mr. Chair, a second priority is social cohesion, minority rights, and peaceful coexistence. Albania's experience of religious coexistence and interfaith dialogue is an important part of our national identity. Respect among religious communities, freedom of religion or belief, and dialogue across faiths contribute to social cohesion, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence. At the same time, the protection of minorities remains essential to full enjoyment of human rights. In this context, Albania continues to raise concern regarding the rights of ethnic Albanians in the Preseva Valley. We call on Serbia to fully implement the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, as well as the recommendation reflected in the Council of Europe Fifth Opinion and Committee of Ministers Resolution on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities by Serbia. Particular attention must be given to ending discriminatory practices related to the pacification of residential addresses, ensuring effective legal remedies guaranteeing equal representation and access to public services and institutions. The rights of the Albanian minority must be fully protected in both law and practice, in accordance with Serbia's international obligations and European standards. The way societies treat minorities is an important measure of the strength of their democratic institutions. Mr. Chair, a third priority is human rights and democratic governance in the age of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is already transforming how we work, learn, communicate, and deliver public services. It offers enormous opportunities, but it also raises important questions concerning privacy, equality, discrimination, accountability, and the integrity of public information. For Albania, the question is no longer whether artificial intelligence will transform our society. The question is how we ensure that this transformation remains compatible with human rights and principles. Artificial intelligence must remain human-centered. Where automated systems contribute to decisions affecting people, there must be transparency, appropriate safeguards, and clear human responsibility. No technological system can substitute for democratic legitimacy. Albania is contributing to this emerging framework. In September, we signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, reaffirming our commitment to a safer, more secure, and trusted digital environment. Albania has also advanced the process towards ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law. We believe that all countries, including smaller states, must have meaningful voice in shaping international rules and standards that will govern this transformation. Mr. Chair, Albania supports the UN 80 initiative and efforts to make the United Nations more effective, efficient, and responsible. At the same time, reform must strengthen rather than weaken the capacity of the United Nations to fulfill its support. The UMR pillar must remain an essential part of the UN architecture supported by adequate, predictable, and sustainable resourcing. Mr. Chair, all priorities ultimately bring us to the same question, what kind of future are we creating for the next generation? Young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow, they are partners in the present. With this in mind, in this spirit, I give the floor to you for the delegation of Albania.

Honourable Chairperson, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, In a world where conflicts challenge international stability and trust in multilateralism, strong, accountable, inclusive institutions matter more than ever. Peace and security cannot be sustained without institutions that uphold the rule of law, protect fundamental rights, and ensure accountability. Albania remains committed to strengthening its democratic institutions and advancing its European integration, with the ambition of joining the EU by 2030. In our region, the legacy of conflict still presents complex challenges for justice and reconciliation. Albania believes that accountability for serious violations must go hand in hand with due processes, impartiality and respect for fundamental rights. Justice must help create the conditions for lasting peace. Albania also contributes to peace beyond its borders through its participation in international peacekeeping missions. Now I pass the floor to my co-delegate, Emma.

Honorable Chairperson, in our national consultations ahead of the UNGA, we asked young people a simple question, which SDGs still feel out of reach for you? Their answers reveal the gap between the commitments we make and their lives that they experience. For many young people, the SDGs remain distant letters and numbers whose meaning has not been made clear. This challenges us to communicate these commitments better because the 2030 agenda has to speak the language of everyday lives, of jobs, classrooms and neighborhoods. Young voices pointed out to clear priorities, invest in meaningful youth participation, strengthen pathways from education into decent work and make young people partners in measuring progress. We must act on them, because for Albania, this is what multilateralism means in practice, that the future of one person anywhere matters to us all. The UN Charter gives us the compass, but a compass only matters if someone is willing to walk. So let us turn our commitments to peace, human rights, youth empowerment, and sustainable development into opportunities that people can feel in their daily lives. And let us do so in the spirit of the UN Charter's opening words, "We, the peoples." Thank you very much.

Thank you, Albania. And I now have lost my... I now call on the representative of Monaco, please. Thank you. Monaco, followed by Turkmenistan.

Mr. Chair. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminds us that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Almost eight decades later, this principle remains our compass. And yet, for many, the equality declared in text is not yet fully turned into a reality in their daily lives, because a right is only truly guaranteed when it can be exercised. That is why my delegation this year would like to stress one simple requirement to ensure that human rights exist in people's daily lives, making sure that everyone has the opportunity to exercise their autonomy, to fully participate in society, and to of dignity. Mr. Chair, this ambition begins with the inclusion of persons with disabilities. In June, the Principality of Monaco strengthened its legislation on the protection, autonomy and promotion of the rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities. This reform aims to better take into account individual disability-related needs and to improve support provisions. At the same time, Monaco adopted a new law on caregivers, because behind a person's loss of autonomy, there is often a parent, a child, a spouse or a loved one who is providing support and care, sometimes at the cost of their own professional and social life. Legal recognition of their role allows them to benefit from specific time off. It means recognising the fact that dignity and autonomy are never just individual realities. They also are based on solidarity. This approach guides Monaco's implementation of the CRPD. It means going beyond merely assistance to envisage a society in which each person can exercise their rights and participate fully in collective life. Chair, to be able to fully participate in society, you also need to be able to find your place in it without discrimination. Equality between men and women in this regard remains a priority for the Principality. In Monaco, awareness-raising activities this year have focused on women's lives in their entirety: health, access to sport, their professional life, their participation in decision-making, but also their protection against all forms of violence. The fight against violence against women remains inextricably linked from any real ambitions in the area of equality. It involves preventing violence, supporting victims, training professionals and combating the stereotypes that perpetuate this. We are also convinced that sport can help transform these representations. That's why Monaco this year reached a new partnership agreement with UN Women for 2026 to 2029 to support initiatives that use sport as a tool for prevention, awareness raising and social transformation for the sake of gender equality. In Monaco, we pay particular attention to young generations, including through mentorship initiatives that allow young girls to meet women in positions of responsibility in the public and private sectors. These exchanges are essential. Equality is built through the models that we give for new generations and their ability to envisage their future without it being limited by stereotypes. But the spaces in which these rights are exercised are also evolving. Our professional, social and civic lives now extend into cyberspace, while the rapid development of artificial intelligence is deeply transforming our societies. These technologies provide considerable opportunities in terms of information, education and participation, but they can also amplify old forms of violence and generate new ones. Harassment, hate speech, sexual and gender-based violence online or the exploitation of people also requires our collective vigilance. Technological progress cannot be to the detriment of human rights. principles of dignity, protection and equality must apply online and offline. Mr. Chair, this requirement for protection is particularly urgent in light of human trafficking. Criminal networks are exploiting poverty, displacement, isolation and vulnerability. They also know how to use new technologies, international mobility and sometimes even take advantage of the legitimate aspirations of young people to study, travel or get ahead. Combating trafficking needs to therefore evolve along with the methods of those that carried out. In July, Monaco renewed its support for the OSCE programme against human trafficking. The programme strengthens cooperation between law and order, the judiciary, social services and civil society to better identify and protect the victims and prosecute the perpetrators. Also this year, Monaco strengthened its international cooperation framework on the seizure and confiscation of the means and gains linked to international organised crime, notably in the context of the United Nations Protocol for the Prevention, Suppression and Punishment of trafficking in human beings, in particular women and children. But the criminal response, as essential as it is, cannot be enough. Preventing trafficking also means informing, educating and protecting vulnerable people, and providing real opportunities for those that traffickers want to exploit. Lastly, we need to return victims to the heart of our actions and ensure that they can recover their autonomy. Mr. Chair, this same conviction guides Monaco's work with refugees and displaced persons, and this year we mark the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention. fleeing a conflict or persecution should not mean that you lose, together with your home, the possibility to build your future as well. In addition to emergency assistance, our work must allow displaced persons to have access to education, healthcare and decent work. Monaco's cooperation is therefore continuing its partnerships for the sake of refugees and displaced persons, including with the UNHCR. The RECAPREF programme, for example, implemented with Bioforce, is allowing West and Central African refugees to get training in humanitarian and development jobs so that they, in turn, can become aid workers and contribute to the communities that are hosting them, Mr. Chair. Be it protecting victims of trafficking, guaranteeing the rights of women and children, allowing people with disabilities to live in autonomy or to respond to new challenges posed by technologies, our committee has no lack of principles or commitments. The real challenge is to turn those into actions. In this regard, This session comes in a particular context, as the United Nations, in the context of the UN80 initiative, is thinking about how to make our organization more effective and better adapted to the challenges of our time, it is also going through a profound financial crisis. This reality cannot be separated from our work. We can adopt resolutions, create mandates, determine strategies and reaffirm year after year our commitment to human rights, but without the necessary resources to implement them, the gap between our commitments and the reality on the ground will only grow. At a time when the needs are growing and new forms of vulnerability are appearing, we must make sure that our ambitions here have the resources to become a reality, because the credibility of our organization will also be measured by its ability to turn the commitments we make here into tangible changes in the lives of the people that we have the responsibility to serve. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Monaco, and I now pass the floor to the representative of Turkmenistan, to be followed by the permanent representative of Suriname. Turkmenistan, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the work of the Third Committee and to constructive international cooperation in the social, humanitarian, and human rights fields. We believe that the promotion and protection of human rights should be advanced through dialogue, cooperation, respect for principles of the United Nations. Charter and effective implementation of international commitments. First, Turkmenistan continues to strengthen its national human rights framework and cooperation with the UN. On 23 September 2026, the National Action Plan on Human Rights in Turkmenistan for 2026-2030 was approved. It provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening national guarantees for human rights and freedoms, implementing international obligations, and expanding cooperation with the UN and other international organizations. This work is complemented by the strategic plan of the Office of Ombudsperson for 2024-2028 and close engagement with relevant UN entities. Second, particular attention is given to the rights and well-being of women, children, and families, as well as to combating trafficking in persons. Turkmenistan has adopted the National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2026-2030, the National Action Plan for the Realization of Children's Rights for 2023-2028, and the National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Persons for 2025-2029. We also attach particular importance to the supporting of the family as the natural and fundamental group unit of society. As a member of the UN Group of Friends of the Family, Turkmenistan supports greater international attention to family-oriented policies and to the contribution of families to the well-being of children, social inclusion, and sustainable development. Third, Turkmenistan places emphasis on particular results and regional cooperation. As a concrete example of a result-oriented policy, UNHCR has recognized that Turkmenistan resolved all known cases of statelessness on its territory, becoming the first state to achieve this milestone while also being a party to both UN Conventions on statelessness. We remain committed to sharing this experience and supporting international efforts in this issue. At the regional level, Turkmenistan actively supports the dialogue of women of Central Asia states, and the youth dialogue of Central Asian countries as particular platforms for strengthening cooperation and participation. Mr. Chair, Turkmenistan will continue its constructive engagement with OHCHR, UNDP, UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, and other UN partners. We are convinced that mutual respect, dialogue, and practical cooperation remain the most effective foundation for advancing human dignity, social development, and the protection of human rights for all. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Turkmenistan. I will pass the floor to the permanent representative of Suriname, to be followed by the permanent representative of Dominican Republic. Suriname, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Distinguished delegates, Suriname aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Caribbean Community and the Group of 77 and China. Allow me at the outset to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau on your election and to assure you of Suriname's constructive cooperation during this session. Mr. Chairman, the work of the Third Committee goes to the very heart of the United Nations. It concerns the individual human being. It concerns whether people can live in safety and dignity, participate equally in society, preserve their identity and culture, and enjoy the full realization of their human rights. At a time when the international community is confronted with conflict, displacement, inequality, discrimination, climate change, and rapid technological change, the work of this committee has acquired even greater importance. For Suriname, the central principle is clear: human dignity must remain at the center of the multilateral system. The Charter of the United Nations provides us with a comprehensive framework. The challenge before us is implementation. We must close the distance between the commitments we make and the reality experienced by people in their communities. Suriname's own experience demonstrates the importance of diversity. Our country is home to indigenous peoples, Maroon communities, and people of African, Asian, Indian, European, and other descent. Different traditions, cultures, languages, and religions form part of our national identity. We attach particular importance to the right of indigenous peoples and tribal communities and to their meaningful participation in decisions affecting their lives, territories, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. Women and girls must also remain central to our efforts. Their full and equal participation in political, economic and social life is both a human rights obligation and an important condition for sustainable development. Young people too should have a voice in determining the future of their societies. We must also pay attention to persons with disabilities and older persons. The way a society removes barriers for those who face greater obstacles says much about the society it seeks to build. Mr. Chairman, climate change has increasingly direct consequence to the issues before this committee. Its effects are felt through food security, water, health, housing, livelihoods, and migration. Small developing states and vulnerable communities remain particularly exposed despite having contributed relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions. Suriname brings a particular perspective to this discussion. More than 90% of our territory remains covered by forest. These forests store carbon, preserve biodiversity, and support communities. Suriname has maintained a net carbon negative position, demonstrating that environmental stewardship and development can go hand in hand. We believe that greater recognition should be afforded to countries and communities that maintain ecosystems which provide benefits to the entire world. Forest conservation carries significant economic costs for developing countries. It is therefore not reasonable to expect forest-rich developing countries to bear these costs alone while the benefits are enjoyed globally. Suriname continues to advocate for predictable, adequate and accessible international support. As Suriname develops its emerging oil and gas sector, we remain committed to ensuring that economic development advances the well-being of our people, while maintaining our commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. Mr. Chairman, The Third Committee also has an important role in addressing crime, violence, corruption, trafficking in persons, drug-related challenges, and other threats to human security. These challenges cannot be addressed through law enforcement alone. Prevention matters, and international cooperation remains essential, particularly because organized crime operates across borders. Mr. Chairman, technology is transforming our societies at extraordinary speed. Digitalization and artificial intelligence offer significant opportunities in education, healthcare, public administration, and economic development. At the same time, new technologies must be developed and used in accordance with human rights, privacy, dignity, and the rule of law. Developing countries should have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in this transformation. Mr. Chairman, human rights, development, and peace cannot be considered separately. Conflict undermines development. Inequality weakens social cohesion. Climate change increases vulnerability. Technological change can create opportunities with also new inequalities. This is why the theme of the 80th session, restoring trust and managing transformation, is particularly relevant to the work of this committee. Trust in international institutions is built through results. It is strengthened when commitments are implemented, when institutions listen to the people they serve, when developing countries are treated as partners, and when the principles of the United Nations are applied consistently. Mr. Chairman, For Suriname, multilateralism remains indispensable. We should resist attempts to divide human rights according to political convenience and remember that behind every agenda item is a person whose rights and dignity are at stake. Suriname stands ready to work with all members in strengthening an international system that respects human dignity, recognize diversity, and support sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Suriname, and I pass the floor to the Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic, to be followed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic, you have the floor.

Chair, allow me to begin by congratulating you and the other members of the Bureau upon your election. The Dominican Republic assures you of our full cooperation and support in undertaking the work of this third committee during this 81st session of the General Assembly. The Dominican Republic aligns with the statements delivered by the G77 and China. In our national capacity, we wish to highlight some considerations that are of particular importance for our country and that will guide our participation in the work of this third committee during this session. We are beginning our work in an international juncture that is especially complex, marked by challenges that directly impact upon the dignity and well-being of people, the persistence of poverty and inequalities, the various forms of discrimination and intolerance, violence against women and girls. humanitarian crises, and also the opportunities and challenges that result from new technologies. In light of this reality, the Dominican Republic believes it is fundamental that we preserve the human-centered focus of the work of this committee, and we should also strengthen our collective efforts to convert multilateral efforts into concrete results, especially for those people who find themselves in situations of the greatest vulnerability. Chair, social development and inclusion are fundamental priorities for the Dominican Republic. Our country believes that there can be no sustainable development without social inclusion and equality of opportunity in public policy that places human dignity at the core. This is why we give particular importance to discussions that will be held during this session on social development and on the situation of young people, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and families. The agenda for this year includes, amongst other things, a follow-up on the Social Development Summit, the sustainable development for persons with disabilities, a follow-up on the second Global Summit on Aging, family and literacy. In this context, we reaffirm our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights on the basis of the principles of the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights. During this session, We will have before us a busy agenda that includes questions on the right to development, the right to food, freedom of religion and beliefs, human rights, food security, administration of justice, international cooperation in the area of human rights, and the right to privacy in the digital sphere. The Dominican Republic will continue to promote a focus based on dialogue, international cooperation and the development of national institutions, as we recognize that the effective protection of human rights represents a core responsibility of States. Equality between men and women and the empowerment of women and girls will continue to take up an important place in terms of our participation in this Committee. The Dominican Republic will continue to support efforts aimed at guaranteeing that all women and girls can live a life free of violence or discrimination and to be able to participate fully in our societies. We recognize that making progress in their rights and opportunities is crucial for achieving more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable societies. Similarly, we give also particular importance to the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. Boys, girls and adolescents should also be at the heart of our efforts to build more just and inclusive societies. During this session, the committee will address questions related to the rights of the child, including the situation of girls, the prevention of early child and forced marriage. We should also ensure that all girls and boys can grow in a safe environment and step up opportunities for development and fully exercise their rights. The Dominican Republic recognizes the fundamental role of youth as agents of the present and builders of our common future. Hearing their voices means guaranteeing spaces for meaningful participation for them and working alongside them. This should not be understood as just an exercise in inclusion, but rather a necessary condition for designing policies and responses that actually reflect the realities, aspirations and challenges of the youth. We need to move from symbolic participation to truly effective participation, where young people are recognized as partners in decision-making under the quest for solutions. Investing in their capabilities and broadening opportunities for them will allow us to take account of their views, strengthen our societies, and build a more inclusive, representative multilateralism that is ready to address the challenges of both the present and the future. chair this session also gives us an opportunity to think about how we are going to carry out our work. The Dominican Republic believes that the strength of multilateralism lies in our ability to engage in dialogue, to hear one another, and to engage even when there are differences between our national opinions. The effectiveness of our work should not be measured only by the number of resolutions that we adopt, but rather also by our ability to achieve a tangible contribution from our resolutions in terms of improvement to the lives of people. We are beginning this session with a constructive spirit. We are open to dialogue, and we are committed to multilateral cooperation. working together with all delegations to advance in the promotion and protection of human rights, social development, equality, inclusion and human dignity. That is the spirit in which we hope that this 81st session of the Third Committee will allow us to strengthen cooperation, build trust and achieve concrete results for the benefit of our societies. Thank you very much, Chair.

I thank the Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic. I pass the floor to the representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, to be followed by the representative of Gambia. DPRK, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Allow me at the outset to extend my warm congratulations to you on your election as Chair of this Committee. I hope that under your able leadership, the Committee will make meaningful contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights through dialogue, cooperation, impartiality and objectivity. Mr. Chair, this year we are commemorating the 60th anniversaries of the adoption of the two pillars of human rights treaties, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. as well as the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development and the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Although several decades have passed since the adoption of human rights conventions and programmes of actions that set forth the various rights and principles essential to the existence and development of humanity, aspirations of humankind to live freely and equally with dignity and rights continue to face serious challenges and difficulties. As many countries and regions are suffering enormous human and material losses due to the impact of natural disasters and public health crises sweeping across the globe, Countless innocent civilians in various parts of the world are losing their lives or becoming refugees and being subjected to all forms of violence and discrimination as a result of acts of state terrorism and violence of sovereignty imposed by hegemonic forces. Although the protection of human rights has become a more urgent issue than ever due to these risk factors that threaten the right to life, the right to existence, and the right to development every moment, the UN human rights bodies are increasingly turning into monitoring mechanisms serving the ultra-political purposes of certain forces and tools for interference in the internal affairs of states. It is indeed a grave concern that the human rights arena, which should serve as a forum for dialogue and cooperation among member states on the principles of respect for sovereignty and equality, has deviated from its original mission and continues to tolerate abnormal practices in which injustice suppresses justice. The international community, which aspires to justice and truth, should raise its collective voices so that the UN takes measures to reject the coercion and arbitrariness of political forces in accordance with its own principles of operation, in which fairness and objectivity are paramount, and to put an end to politicized, selective, and double-standard practices in the field of human rights. Mr. Chair, in the DPRK, where the people-first principle serves as the cornerstone of state activities, the social and political rights, as well as the economic and cultural rights of civilians, are thoroughly guaranteed institutionally and through the implementation of laws and policies. while policies aimed at improving the quality of life and promoting the well-being of the people in all spheres of social life are being consistently implemented. Under the regional development policy aimed at reducing the gap between the urban and rural areas, since 2024, local industrial plants, hospitals, and comprehensive service facilities and green management facilities have been constructed every year in 20 cities and counties, while numerous housing units have been built in the capital and the provinces and allocated to the people free of charge. World-class cultural, tourism and recreational facilities, including the Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist area, have been splendidly established at scenic locations across the country. enabling ordinary working people to fully enjoy a civilized cultural life. At the same time, a healthcare modernization strategy is being vigorously implemented with the aim of bringing the country's healthcare system up to an advanced, modern, and world-class level. Children and students throughout the country are regularly supplied not only with the new school uniforms and school supplies at the free of charge, but also with nutritious foods, including dairy products, while vigorous efforts are also being undertaken to fundamentally improve educational conditions and the learning environment. Recently, the DPRK government adopted a major policy to transform all coal mining villages across the country into modern and culturally developed mining cities over the next five years, and work to implement this policy is now being undertaken in earnest. Mr. Ted, the DPIK will continue to faithfully fulfill its mission of protecting and promotion the genuine freedom and rights as well as the material and cultural well-being of its people, and will actively join international efforts aimed at the genuine protection and promotion of human rights. In conclusion, DPRK is very concerned that the human rights platform is misused to pressure other countries by means of human rights and mislead the international community with all the false fabrications. The countries that accuse the DPRK with the human rights should keep in mind that mutual respect and sovereign equality is essential in UN activities. They are not in a position to lecture others with the human rights. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the DPRK and now invite the representative of the Gambia to be followed by Georgia. Gambia, you have the floor.

We congratulate you, Chair, and the Bureau on your election to the leadership of this important committee, and we assure you of our full support. 60 years ago, the United Nations adopted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the two foundational treaties that converted the aspirations of the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights into binding law. For the Gambia, the adoption of these important instruments is not merely aspirational. It embodies a fundamental approach to the universality, interdependence, interrelatedness and indivisibility of human rights. It invites us to share our experiences, expertise and resources to confront common challenges and seize shared opportunities in protecting the values of inherent human dignity for all. As State Parties to this respective covenant, The Gambia believes that we must leverage renewed global action to the commitments outlined and to pave and uphold fundamental rights and to address issues related to the undue restriction of these rights. As a country, these foundational treaties are central to our national development priorities through our transitional justice processes to usher in the necessary legislative and institutional democratic reforms, aligning our governance system with international human rights standards. The Gambia also commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Council, and as an elected member for two consecutive terms, The Gambia reaffirms and comments the important work of this body and its special procedures, which offers best practices and offer recommendations through an equal state-driven process. We take human rights as ideals that must be cherished and protected for the long-term stability, legitimacy, peace, and sustainable development of countries. On social development, it is unfortunate that 30 years since Copenhagen, Poverty and inequality remains the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for the attainment of sustainable development until today. In precise terms, our immediate task is to galvanize the requisite diplomatic and legal resources to the devastation posed by poverty and unemployment, which reinforces inequality and injustice. In Africa and countries from the global south, poverty is on the rise, with over a billion people closer to the extreme poverty line, enduring poverty in different forms and manifestations. This hardship is experienced in myriad ways, demonstrated through limited fiscal space and persistently high debt servicing obligations. The prevailing international finance and architecture further hampers development ambitions, deepening the divide and reinforcing stark inequalities, exacerbating challenges and limiting opportunities for progress and growth. This requires us to forge a new consensus to confront a new reality. A consensus that unites us behind our shared determination to make sustainable development a profound instrument to serve our common purpose and aspirations. The United Nations has outlined transformative priorities in the Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024. And The Gambia calls on all countries to muster the political will to turn commitments into tangible and progressive actions. On children's rights, The Gambia continues to place the rights of children as an important priority for our national development. by incorporating adequate legislative, institutional and policy frameworks to regulate the implementation of these rights. Nonetheless, the Gambia continues to be concerned that as conflict continues around the world, the recruitment and use of children by armed groups is a cause for concern, as these practices are not only abhorrent and inhumane, but also a clear violation of international humanitarian law. Yet despite the global efforts to end recruitment of children and to prevent their enlistment, armed groups continue to put them at significant risk, depriving them of some of their most basic rights. We must turn firmly and act decisively to address the scourge of recruitment and use of children by armed groups, as well as to address its impact on the lives of children. It is also important to recalibrate our preventive diplomacy tools for the protection of the rights of children. We also reiterate the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities. On the advancement of women, Chair, the call for women empowerment is a highly placed priority for the government of The Gambia. And we take strong pride in leading efforts, as envisaged through the Women's Act, by harnessing law and policy as instrument to accelerate change that protect women and girls from violence and uphold their rights to life, security, freedom, dignity, physical and emotional integrity. Aligning national legislations with international standards, ensuring that successive national policies have guided the mainstreaming of women's rights across sectors, and that development planning increasingly reflects their needs and priorities. The empowerment of women and girls must be at the heart of our social and economic policy. We continue to call for the implementation of Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, and the need to ensure that women are not only represented, but also constantly involved at all levels, from the prevention of conflict to designing of the peace processes and implementation. In supporting the enhancement of the rights and welfare of women and girls, we also commend the Republic of Sierra Leone on the adoption this year on the landmark resolution on ending child marriage. We believe that this is a significant step towards dismantling the intrinsic institutionalized barriers against women and girls. On the protection of humanitarian personnel in conflict situations, The Gambia continues to be concerned that, despite the universal ratification of the Geneva Conventions, violations of fundamental humanitarian norms are widespread. The protection of medical personnel, units, and transport is a core principle stipulated under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and forms part of customary international humanitarian law. The Gambia believes that protecting humanitarian workers is cardinal to preserving the core principles that govern the global humanitarian system. humanity, impartiality, and neutrality. The rights of humanitarian personnel must be adhered and protected, and we denounce any derogation of the recognition of these rights under any circumstances. States must renew their commitment to the Geneva Convention and uphold the principle that humanity must prevail in war. It's a collective responsibility that those who dedicate their precious lives to assist civilian population during times of conflict will themselves be also protected. The Gambia reiterates calls for the full realization and enforcement of the rights and dignity of migrants in countries of origin, transit, destination, and international borders. As a champion country, we reiterate that the complex phenomenon of migration underscores the need for urgent international cooperation to address the realities in a way that emphasizes the needs to protect migrants at the center of global decision-making. On the Rohingya crisis, The Gambia continues to call for a lasting solution for the Rohingya crisis and calls for a renewed action for the ultimate objective for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their home in Rakhine State. The humanitarian emergency nearly a decade ago has now inexorably evolved into one of the world's most protracted political crises. Under this prism, The Gambia vigorously believes that resolving the protracted Rohingya crisis is a political, legal, and moral responsibility that the international community must collectively bear and soldier together. Accountability to ensure justice, reparations, and the non-repetition of atrocity crimes is an essential part of the comprehensive solution, and we appreciate continued support to that end. On self-determination, the right to self-determination is an important right espoused on international law and the United Nations Charter. Nonetheless, the Palestinian right to statehood has still been confronted with immense challenges. We support all genuine efforts to maximize the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue. In this context, we reaffirm the need to urgently enable the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate national rights, as recognized by the international community through its recognition of a state of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital. On racism and intolerance, As we mark the 25th anniversary since the adoption of the Durban Declaration and its Programme of Action, The Gambia welcomes the progress made in combating racism and related intolerance. However, we remain concerned that despite the establishment of institutional normative policies, challenges persist in many parts of the world. And while we recognize that these challenges are deeply ingrained in historical, social, and structural inequalities, we continue to call for more political and sustained international engagements and collective action in combating this menace. Considering the above, we commend the historic step taken by Ghana in the adoption of the resolution 80/250, declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. We also commend Togo for its resolution on correcting the map. On artificial intelligence, for the past years, we have seen how quickly artificial intelligence has evolved, with the potential to destroy lives. We therefore call for a global governance framework to deal with matters concerning artificial intelligence, with human rights at its center. I thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of the Gambia, and I pass the floor to the representative of Georgia, to be followed by the permanent representative of Timor-Leste. Georgia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your election as chair of the Third Committee and to wish you and the members of the Bureau every success in guiding our work during this session. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 International Covenants on Human Rights. Georgia has been a party to both covenants since 1994 and has been guided by their provisions in developing its national human rights framework. This debate provides an important opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to the rights and freedoms enshrined in these landmark instruments. Georgia is a strong supporter of the UN human rights system and is committed to advancing its work, including through its membership of the Human Rights Council. Continued disregard for international humanitarian law and systemic human rights violations remain among the most serious challenges to international peace, security, and human dignity. At the national level, Georgia's comprehensive human rights strategy 2022-2030 covers all fundamental rights and freedoms with particular attention to vulnerable groups. It focuses on four priorities, the rule of law and civil and political rights, economic and social rights, equality and non-discrimination, and the rights of persons affected by Russia's illegal occupation. The 2024-2026 Action Plan implements the strategy, while Georgia has already begun developing the next action plan for 2027-2028. Georgia continues to prioritize the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls. including combating violence against women and domestic violence. Key national measures include action plans on women, peace and security, and on combating domestic violence and violence against women. Georgia remains committed to protecting children's rights. Recent reforms have strengthened child-friendly justice and improved access to free legal aid. Since 2022, a psychological and social services center for child victims based on the Barnahus model, has provided comprehensive support while preventing secondary victimization. As a member of the UNICEF Executive Board, Georgia also contributes to advancing children's rights globally. In recent years, the government of Georgia laid the foundation for several new initiatives to advance the rights of persons with disabilities. Ministries, municipalities, and public institutions continue to work collaboratively and systematically to promote equality, accessibility, and inclusion. The Interagency Coordination Committee on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, operating under the administration of the government of Georgia, coordinates these efforts. Georgia continues its resolute efforts to combat organized crime and corruption, which are fundamental to protecting human rights and fostering trust in public institutions. Combating trafficking in persons is another longstanding national priority for Georgia. Our approach is based on the internationally recognized four Ps: prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership. Georgia protects and supports victims and survivors and addresses the conditions that enable their exploitation. Mr. Chair, the Russian Federation continues its unlawful occupation and effective control of Georgia's Abkhazia and regions in violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement. Russia's expanding military footprint across the land, maritime, and air domains further embeds the occupied regions within Russia's military architecture. The planned naval infrastructure at Ochamchire, the unauthorized unauthorized operation of Sohumia Airport and illegal transports connections with Russia, violate Georgia's sovereignty and applicable international law, while increasing risks for the wider Black Sea region. The so-called treaty on deepening allied cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Tskhinvali regime, signed on 9th of May 2026, further advances the gradual annexation and incorporation of Russia-occupied Tskhinvali region of Georgia. Creeping annexation, barbed wire fences, passportization, property seizures, and the so-called borderization are accompanied by illegal detentions. abductions, restrictions on movement and systematic discrimination against ethnic Georgians, particularly in the Gali and Ahalgori districts. Restrictions on movement and delayed or denied medical evacuation have had grave humanitarian consequences. Georgia calls for an end to impunity for unlawful killings of Gigo Trosaria, David Basharuli, Archil Tatunashvili, Tamaz Kinturi, Vitali Karbaia and Irakli Gvaradzhelia, as well as for all other cases of violations. Georgia remains deeply concerned by the absence of progress towards the safe, voluntary and dignified return of hundreds of thousands of IDPs and refugees. The demolition of homes belonging to displaced persons and the alteration of Georgian features on cultural heritage monuments further seek to erase the Georgian presence and undermine the prospect of return. International judicial decisions have confirmed the legal reality of Russia's occupation and effective control of Georgia's regions, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region. The European Court of Human Rights has on multiple occasions established Russia's responsibility for systemic violations in the Russia-occupied regions of Georgia. ICC arrest warrants issued in relation to alleged war crimes committed by Russia-controlled persons against ethnic Georgians further underscore the need for accountability for these crimes. Mr. Chair, Georgia will continue to engage actively and constructively in the work of the Third Committee, working with our partners to advance our shared goal of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the representative of Georgia. I will pass shortly to the permanent representative of Timor-Leste, followed by the permanent representative of Estonia. Permanent representative of Timor-Leste, you have the floor.

Timor-Leste aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, allow me to congratulate Ambassador James Larsen, Permanent Representative of Australia, and the members of the Bureau on your election. My delegation assures you of its full support and cooperation throughout this session. We also thank the Secretary-General for the reports submitted under the agenda items before us, which provide an important foundation for our deliberations. Mr. Chair, Timor-Leste reaffirms its steadfast commitment to multilateralism and to mutually reinforcing pillars of the United Nations -- peace and security, development, and human rights. At a time of deepening inequalities, humanitarian crises, and growing mistrust, we must renew the solidarity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility on which this organization was founded. The credibility of multilateralism ultimately depends on its ability to improve people's lives, particularly those facing poverty, discrimination, and exclusion. Timor-Leste remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under international human rights treaties to which it is a party. Our task is to translate these commitments into effective laws, accountable institutions, and accessible public services. This requires sustained investment in access to justice, human rights education, institutional capacity, and follow-up to the recommendations of United Nations human rights mechanisms. It also requires meaningful engagement with civil society and the communities whose rights and well-being are at stake. We continue to prioritize advancing women's and gender equality. Timor-Leste has enacted the law against domestic violence and adopted its second national action plan on women, peace, and security for 2024-2028. These measures provide an important basis for preventing violence and strengthening women's participation in peacebuilding and decision-making. Yet legislation and policy commitments must be matched with consistent implementation. We must strengthen access to justice, shelters, health care, and psychological support for survivors, particularly in rural communities. Further progress also requires expanding women's economic opportunities, addressing unpaid care responsibilities, and ensuring their full, equal, and meaningful participation at every level. Preventing violence demands the engagement of men, and boys, schools, community leaders, and public institutions. Equality must be reflected in everyday practice. Mr. Chair, the protection and well-being of children remains central to our national priorities. The adoption of the Law on the Protection of Children and Young People in Danger in 2023 strengthened the legal framework for protecting children from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Our continuing responsibility is to make this protection effective in every municipality. Priorities include strengthening the social welfare workforce, improving referral and case management systems, supporting families, and ensuring that children can safely report abuse and obtain assistance. Child protection must also advance alongside better nutrition, quality education, birth registration, safe water, and essential health services. Every child should have the opportunity to grow, learn and participate in society with dignity. Timor-Leste's accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities represents another important step towards a more inclusive society. However, persons with disabilities, including children and young people, continue to face barriers to services and participation. We must therefore strengthen accessibility. inclusive education, rehabilitation, employment opportunities, and appropriate social protection. Public buildings, transport, information, and digital services must become more accessible. Persons with disabilities and their representative organizations must participate meaningfully in designing, implementing, and monitoring the policies that affect their lives. Excellencies, Timor-Leste reiterated the importance of protecting refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons through principled, compassionate, and coordinated responses consistent with international law. Our own experience of conflict and displacement reinforces our conviction that durable solutions must accompany protection. We call for greater support to host communities and for conditions that enable voluntary return in safety and dignity, local integration, or resettlement as appropriate. We strongly oppose racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance in all their forms. Combating these injustices requires effective protection against discrimination, education that promotes mutual respect and sustained dialogue across communities. Efforts to address incitement to hatred and violence must remain consistent with international human rights law, including freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief. Mr. Chair, Timor-Leste attach great importance to inclusive social development, including opportunities for youth and the dignity and participation of older persons and the rights of persons with disabilities. Our national social protection strategy 2021-2030 provides a framework for strengthening income security and access to essential services. The next priority is to extend beyond protection to those still underserved, improve the adequacy and reliability of support and ensure long-term financial sustainability. Better data, simpler administrative procedures, and stronger coordination can help assist reach those who need it most. For our young population, education must lead to practical skills, decent work, and meaningful participation in national life. Greater investment is needed in vocational training, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities, including in rural areas. Older persons must likewise have access to income security, appropriate care, and opportunities to contribute to their communities. We also support stronger crime prevention and cooperation against trafficking in persons and illicit drugs. These efforts should combine effective law enforcement with prevention, victim protection, treatment, and rehabilitation in full respect of human rights. Excellencies, migration must be addressed through comparative, humane, and rights-based approaches. Labor mobility is of considerable importance to Timor-Leste, including through established programs with several countries, including Australia and the Republic of Korea. These opportunities support workers and their families while generating experience and skills that can contribute to national development. Remittances are an important source of external income and household support, helping families meet essential needs and invest in their futures. Further action is needed to ensure fair recruitment, clear contracts, adequate preparation before departure, effective consular assistance, and accessible complaints mechanisms. Labour mobility should complement sustained efforts to create decent employment at home, so migration is an informed choice. Mr. Chair, for Timor-Leste, the priority ahead is clear: turning laws, strategies, and international commitments into measurable improvements in people's lives. This requires adequate financing, capable institutions, stronger local services, and transparent monitoring of results. International cooperation should support these nationally identified priorities, strengthen domestic systems, and build lasting capacity. In closing, Timor-Leste reaffirms its support for the Commission for Social Development and for the implementation on the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. reinforced by the Doha Political Declaration adopted at the second World Summit for Social Development in 2025. Together, these commitments must accelerate progress towards poverty eradication, decent work, social inclusion, and the 2030 Agenda. We stand ready to work constructively with all member states towards a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future in which every person can live with dignity and participate fully in society. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste. Colleagues, I just want to draw everyone's attention to the time. Obviously, we're getting very close to the lunch break. We're just asking the interpreters if we have a little bit more time, but I am conscious that there are some colleagues in the room who just won't be able to speak, even if we get a little bit more time, over 1 o'clock, so just be alert to that. The next speaker on my list is Estonia, the Permanent Representative of Estonia, and if we get our extension from the interpreters, the Permanent Representative of Luxembourg, I beg your pardon, of Singapore. Thank you. So, Estonia, you have the floor.

President, distinguished colleagues, the world today is marked by deepening conflicts, shrinking civil space, growing humanitarian needs, and impunity. Human rights violations are a systemic challenge to peace and security. At this critical moment, Estonia stands firmly for international law, accountability, human rights, and the dignity of every human being. In Afghanistan, systematic discrimination against and repression of women and girls are among the gravest human rights crises of our time. The international community must remain steadfast in supporting Afghan women and girls, whose participation is essential for the development, peace and stability of the country. In Iran, we remain deeply concerned by the repression against women and girls, human rights defenders, journalists and peaceful protesters. as well as the widespread use of the death penalty. Iran must uphold its international human rights obligations, end arbitrary detention, and ensure accountability. In Sudan, civilians endure mass atrocities, ethnically motivated killings, sexual and gender-based violence, and famine. Millions are displaced, and humanitarian access continues to be hindered. We reiterate our call for immediate, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, armed groups continue to terrorize communities, recruit and use children, and commit horrific acts of sexual and gender-based violence. Protection of civilians must remain central to our response, together with accountability, humanitarian access, peacebuilding, and promotion of democracy. The situation on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and West Bank and Gaza, remains of great concern. Attacks against civilians, including children, humanitarian workers, journalists, and other media workers, cannot be justified under any circumstances. Estonia continues to call for full respect for international humanitarian law and unhindered humanitarian access. We remain a consistent donor to UNRWA and are committed to a credible political process leading to a sustainable two-state solution based on international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. In Belarus, the Lukashenko regime continues to repress civil society, independent media, and democratic opposition, while deliberately instrumentalizing migration for political purposes. That is unacceptable and must be addressed with full respect for human rights and international law. In Russia, independent journalists, civil society, human rights defenders, and ordinary citizens continue to face repression, arbitrary detention, and politically motivated prosecutions. More than 21,000 individuals are designated as terrorists or extremists, and at least 5,000 individuals were prosecuted on politically motivated administrative or criminal charges as of mid-2026. The long list includes two indigenous peoples' representatives, Daria Egerewa and Natalia Lenhardt, who are arbitrarily detained under unfounded charges of terrorism. Since the start of unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, 172 indigenous organizations are designated as terrorists, showing systematic targeting of indigenous communities in Russia. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine remains one of the gravest tests for the United Nations, marked by daily attacks on civilians, the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, and conflict-related sexual violence. A permanent member of the UN Security Council repeatedly listed for grave violations against children and conflict-related sexual violence should not enjoy impunity. Listing must carry consequences, including suspending Russia's participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Russia claims to champion decolonization while pursuing neocolonial and imperial ambitions in Ukraine and beyond. and uses the argument of combating Nazism to justify its war of aggression. For Estonia, this rhetoric recalls almost 50 years of illegal Soviet occupation, marked by executions, repression, mass deportations, and forced Russification. While remaining fully committed to the agenda of combating Nazism, Estonia cannot support Russia's cynical, absolutely cynical draft resolution on this issue. Chair. Estonia firmly believes that multilateral cooperation based on international law is the only way to address global challenges. We reiterate our full support for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and commend the High Commissioner for his efforts to defend human rights worldwide. Estonia is honored to serve as a member of the Human Rights Council in 2026-2028 and as a Vice President of the Council in 2026. during our membership, children's rights, digital rights, and media freedom will remain among Estonia's top priorities, along with women's rights and gender equality. This includes our strong commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Together with New Zealand and Colombia, Estonia is leading negotiations in the Human Rights Council on the resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity. which reaffirms that preventing maternal mortality is a question of justice and human rights, not merely a healthcare issue. Estonia is also committed to safeguarding the rights of women and girls in the digital space, including through initiatives aiming to counter technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Estonia continues to advance the women, peace and security agenda. We are currently in the process of conducting our fourth national action plan for women, peace, security, and in July of this year, we officially joined the conflict-related sexual violence prosecution network, strengthening accountability for this heinous crime. We stand firmly against all forms of discrimination and violence, including against LGBT+ persons. Estonia contributes actively to UN bodies and mechanisms through political and financial support, and by supporting strong independent experts. We are proud that Ms. Marianne Mikko has been re-elected to the SIDO Committee for 2027-2030 as a joint Nordic-Baltic candidate. Estonia has nominated Dr. Nela Leosk as a candidate for the position of a Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau. We count on your most valuable support for her candidacy. As one of the world's top three countries for press freedom, Estonia remains committed to promoting media freedom, protecting journalists and other media workers, and enhancing media literacy, including through our engagement in the Media Freedom Coalition. In the face of a growing disinformation and pressure on independent media, journalists must be able to work freely and safely without fear of censorship, harassment, or violence. Cases such as that of Jimmy Lai remind us that independent media and pro-democracy voices continue to face severe pressure. We urge the Chinese authorities to abide by their international human rights commitments and legal obligations and to respect universal rights and freedoms. Having chaired the Freedom Online Coalition in 2025, Estonia continues to advance digital rights and freedoms. digital transformation and AI bring enormous opportunities, but require secure, reliable, and human rights-based governance. As co-facilitator of a first global dialogue on artificial intelligence together with El Salvador, Estonia has helped shape responsible, inclusive, and transparent AI governance centered on safe, trustworthy, and human-centered AI. As President of UNICEF's Executive Board, I also highlight Estonia's commitment to child-centered innovation in education, including through our national AI LEAP program. President, at this challenging time for the world and for the United Nations, we really need strong and inclusive leadership. After 81 years, it is high time for this organization to be led by a woman. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Estonia. We have been granted an additional 10 minutes, so I will pass to the Permanent Representative of Singapore. I regret very much if that means that we have to close the list for this morning, but Singapore, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Let me begin by congratulating you and Australia on your election. As Chair of this very important committee, we have full confidence in your leadership and we assure you of Singapore's full support. Mr. Chair, human rights have always been a fundamental and essential pillar of the UN and of the multilateral system. As we seek to safeguard, strengthen and streamline our multilateral system, we must take a balanced approach between the three pillars so that we do not weaken any of them. We also believe that the three pillars are interconnected. From our own experience in Singapore, we know that there is an inextricable link between human rights, sustainable development, peace and security, and the dignity of all peoples. Mr. Chair, we also welcome your opening remarks that this Committee can help advance a future where human rights are a living reality for all. Last week in Geneva, the Human Rights Council adopted the outcome of Singapore's fourth Universal Periodic Review. Singapore is a strong supporter of the UPR and we are pleased to be one of the countries that had contributed to its creation. We value the UPR as a platform for frank dialogue where all countries are reviewed on an equal footing and can learn from one another. Singapore has supported a majority of the recommendations we received from our latest UPR and they complement our efforts to build a more inclusive, cohesive and resilient society. Let me say a few points on each of them. First, with regards to an inclusive society. Two years ago, we began a national conversation in Singapore to refresh our social compact, with more than 200,000 Singaporeans having taken part in this process. Their views continue to shape the Government's policies. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Singapore has strengthened our support so that persons with disabilities can live more independently. Our society in Singapore is also ageing quickly, and through our national Age Well SG programme, we are helping seniors to stay active and to receive care in their own homes and neighborhoods. Singapore is proud to have always placed gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at the centre of our policies. We have amended our Women's Charter to give survivors of family violence stronger means to protect themselves. This protection also extends to the workplace. The Workplace Fairness Act, our first workplace anti-discrimination law, protects all workers from being disadvantaged because of who they are. But beyond legislation, we are enhancing parental leave so that men and women can share caregiving as equal partners. Mr. Chair, we are also doing more to protect our children. And to protect them in the digital space, we are acting quickly and decisively on two fronts. Since June, our new Online Safety Commission has given children and other victims of online harms a quick way to seek help. In August, we amended our Penal Code to keep pace with technology, including by covering AI-generated child abuse material. Second, with regard to a cohesive society, we in Singapore regard social harmony as being very important and as something that does not happen on its own. We have seen how easily words can wound and potentially erode decades of hard-earned trust between communities. Our laws on racial and religious harmony, including our new Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act, protect against conduct that threatens this harmony. And as we mark the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, our own experience in Singapore tells us that we must build harmony patiently, deliberately and collectively. The third point is with regards to what we do to increase our resilience. We in Singapore invest heavily in education, housing and healthcare, and seek to strengthen our social safety net so that no one is left behind. We're helping our people to learn new skills throughout their lives. We have extended new legal protections. to workers operating through online platforms, and we continue to improve the welfare of our migrant workers. Mr. Chair, individuals can only enjoy their rights and freedoms when they feel safe and secure. As an international hub close to major drug-producing areas, Singapore is highly vulnerable to the inflow of illicit drugs, which impacts our safety and social stability. We will not waver in our mission to keep Singapore free of drug abuse. We believe in an evidence-based approach to harm prevention, comprising preventive education, rigorous enforcement and effective rehabilitation. As a member of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, we will continue to support its work and that of the International Narcotics Control Board. We are also seeking re-election to the Commission for the term 2028-2031. Mr. Chair, to conclude, Singapore believes it is incumbent on all governments to remain accountable and to exercise good governance and to uphold the rule of law. And as we commence the work of this committee, we are committed to open and constructive dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding. And we look forward to working with all our friends in this committee and with you, of course. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Singapore, and I thank the interpreters for their forbearance. We will break now and resume at 3:00 p.m. Let me just quickly note, however, the list of speakers has changed a lot over the past morning and a very large number of speakers has dropped out. That runs a real risk that we don't have enough speakers to fill the available three hours from 3pm till 6pm this afternoon. That creates a very real risk that I would close out the general debate in its entirety if we don't have anybody in the room who's willing to speak, so do encourage your colleagues, I think, to put their names forward. Otherwise, if we have nobody to speak, I will need to consult the Bureau as to how we address that situation. But for the time being, the meeting is adjourned. Thank you.