Third Committee, 36th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session General Assembly Date: 30 October 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/es/ga/c3/81/36?lang=en Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- 3rd Committee · Chair [17:13]: My, Colleagues, we'll start in a couple of seconds. Very good. The 36th meeting of the Third Committee at the 80th session of the General Assembly is called to order. And I now invite the committee to resume its consideration of agenda item 65, entitled Report of the Human Rights Council. All documentation is on the iGov site. And I remind all delegations that the deadline for submission of draft proposals under this item is 6:00 PM today. It's a great pleasure for me to be able to welcome the President of the Human Rights Council, who has joined us from Geneva today. Thank you very much indeed for being available. In the usual way, we'll hear a presentation from the President. It will then be open to delegations to make interventions from the floor in the usual way. If you would indicate in the next several minutes your desire to speak, that will create a list and that will determine how much time each speaker has. I will advise that when we have finished with the presentation from the President and when we move to the interactive session. Let me now, with great pleasure, pass the floor to the President of the Human Rights Council. So you have the floor. HRC · President [20:20]: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, everybody. Excellencies, distinguished representatives, I'd like to first begin by thanking the Chairman of the Third Committee, Ambassador Larson. and members of the Bureau for welcoming me to this committee, the Third Committee. It is an honor to present to this committee the annual report of the Human Rights Council and to engage in a dialogue with all of you. As I reported this morning to the General Assembly, the Council continues to deliver and to respond to urgent developments. Across its three regular sessions this year, it adopted 100 resolutions, It also held over 100 meetings, including engagement with dignitaries at its high-level segment. It held one special session and three urgent debates. In its thematic work, the Council adopted for the first time a resolution focused on rights of persons in street situations, children's access to nutritious food, and disability-inclusive digital technologies and infrastructure, and children affected by armed conflict, and provided for further work on climate adaptation. The Council continued its work on issues such as youth and housing, migrants' rights in detention and return processes, and transitional justice, as well as its consideration of the proposed optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, on the rights to early childhood, pre-primary and pre-secondary education. Its technological work included three resolutions addressing AI, that is on good governance, and AI in public administration, on the rights of women and girls in the context of digital technologies, and on AI and human rights. which emphasized safeguards against discrimination, human oversight, and accountability. It also requested the Office of the High Commissioner study on AI and the dissemination of this information. Across its regular sessions, the Council renewed thematic and country mandates, maintaining its independent mechanism for expertise, scrutiny, accountability, and protection. Technical assistance and capacity building remain an important part of its work, including for the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Haiti, Mali, the Marshall Islands, South Sudan, and Yemen. The special procedures provide. Independent expertise across a wide range of thematic and country situations and make recommendations that can inform national action. It does produce a wealth of information that you could all refer to. Alongside them, the Council’s investigative mechanisms document violations and help lay the groundwork for accountability. I encourage Member States to make full use of their work. The independence of mandate holders and experts and their protection from intimidation threats and personal attacks are essential to the discharge of their responsibilities. Where States have concern about their work, substantive dialogue offers a constructive mean of engagement. Now turning to the Universal Periodic Review, which is the real foundational stone of the Human Rights Council, and once considered and should continue to be considered as the crown jewel of the Council. Its strength lies in its universality and equal treatment of all states. There are a few cases of non-cooperation on the UPR. Currently, it stands at two. Two of those that choose not to participate, and one that is non-participating by virtue of the decision of the Council. And these have put strain on those principles, principles relating to universality. So far, the Council has responded in line with the cooperative spirit of the mechanism, keeping the door open and calling for engagement for their resumption. As we approach the end of the fourth cycle, it is now up to all Member States to preserve the universality that underpin the review. Preserving universality also means ensuring that all States can benefit from the review, not only participate in it. And this would include technical cooperation and the UPR Voluntary Trust Fund that can help States that require of it obtain assistance in implementation. These trust funds, however, are severely underfunded, and I encourage States to consider contributing to them. Excellencies, distinguished representatives, the strength and credibility of the Council rests on the participation of all of its members and observers. The delegation of least developed countries and small island developing states are often small, their delegations are small, and cover a wide range of responsibilities across the international organizations in Geneva, and States without a permanent presence there would face, obviously, additional barriers. The Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund would help to make their participation possible. And once again, I call on contributions to these trust funds. Throughout my presidency, I have encouraged Member States to leverage on national and regional resources at a time when the United Nations and the multilateral architecture itself is under strain. National human rights institutions and regional organizations can and should be key partners in carrying what Geneva and New York decide to implement at the grassroots, and bringing their lived experience back into deliberations in Geneva and also in New York. This was among the issues that was discussed at the Human Rights Council retreat in Bali, Indonesia, last week. Civil society organizations similarly also make essential contributions. It is also unique in the context of the Human Rights Council, and particularly in providing information and perspective from communities. Their engagement keeps our deliberations connected to those whose rights are at stake. I encourage continued attention to preserving civil society space and to supporting safe and open participation. And participation must be accessible to all. The Council requested an advisory committee study on remaining accessibility gaps and assistance to victims of anti-personnel mines. I encourage delegations to take accessibility into account so that persons with disabilities can take part in UN meetings on an equal basis with others. One request I would like to make to this committee, and I also made earlier at the plenary, is the support of the GA committees, namely the third committees. Third and Fifth Committee when it comes to resourcing of the Human Rights Council. So it is important that the committees of the General Assembly pay particular attention to the requests that come from the Human Rights Council. And I can inform this committee that pursuant to resolution 79/192, The Council is on track to progressively reduce the number of interactive dialogue with the General Assembly arising from its mandates. In Geneva, the Human Rights Committee is mindful of the requests from the Third Committee, the pressures that mandates emanating from Geneva is creating on the Third Committee. The Chairman and I, we are also discussing on ways how we can ensure that the work is more in synergy, and we avoid duplication and cooperate better between New York and Geneva. And in Geneva, the co-facilitators on rationalization and efficiency have come out with a concrete list, a checklist on what delegations, when they produce resolutions, a checklist on what they should be referring to. And I hope that this checklist can also be something that will be considered within the broader context of mandatory review of the General Assembly, of what one of its subsidiary bodies is doing. The Council’s 20th anniversary is an opportunity to renew our commitment to dialogue and cooperation, guided by universality, objectivity, non-selectivity, and equal treatment of all human rights, including the right to development. Our shared endeavour is to translate deliberations, independent expertise, review, and technical cooperation into tangible improvements in people’s lives. Human rights are closely connected with sustainable development, prevention of conflict and peace. For the Council and the Third Committee, regular communication, informed consideration of recommendations and attention to implementation can strengthen cooperation within our respective mandates. This interactive dialogue is an opportunity opportunity to hear your views, your assessment, and where required, we can also respond to queries, to issues being raised on how cooperation between Geneva and New York can be strengthened. Thank you for your attention. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 3rd Committee · Chair [31:54]: Thank you, President, very much indeed. I will now open the floor. We have some 15 delegations seeking to intervene. The time limit per intervention is 2.5 minutes. And my first speaker is the Permanent Representative of Estonia, followed by Myanmar, Colombia, Cuba, China, Uruguay, Cameroon, Nigeria, Switzerland, and DPRK. Permanent Representative of Estonia, you have the floor. Estonia · Nordic-Baltic States · Permanent Representative [32:24]: Chair, I have honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States. Allow me to begin by reiterating that according to resolution 65/281, it is the responsibility of the plenary of the General Assembly and not of the Third Committee to take action on the report of the Human Rights Council. We are, however, always grateful for the opportunity to engage on the important work of the Council, and would therefore like to say the following. We thank President Surya Dipuro for his leadership and for guiding the Council through the Manning session marked by both serious ongoing human rights situations and evolving thematic human rights challenges, including digital technologies, gender equality, accessibility, and the human rights of migrants, youth, and indigenous peoples. We also deeply appreciate the continued engagement with civil society, national human rights institutions, and our stakeholders. The Nordic-Baltic States remain firmly committed to addressing serious human rights situations worldwide. Resolutions on such situations, including on Afghanistan, Sudan, the Russian Federation, Burundi, Venezuela, Georgia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, and Yemen, remain indispensable tools for addressing human rights violations and abuses and advancing accountability. We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing UN liquidity crisis and its disproportionate impact on the human rights system. The postponement, reduction, or inhibition of mandated activities undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the international human rights architecture. Stable, predictable, and adequate financing is indispensable, particularly for mandates related to human rights situations investigative mechanisms, and support to victims and survivors of human rights violations. Chair, at a time of rising polarization, the Human Rights Council must continue to serve as a forum where serious violations are addressed. Victims and survivors are heard, and States are held accountable for meeting their obligations. While constructive dialogue is crucial, it can never replace principled action. President, how can the Human Rights Council best safeguard the implementation of its mandates and maintain principled, evidence-based engagement on serious human rights situations in the face of increasing polarization and financial constraints? Thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [34:47]: I thank the Permanent Representative of Estonia on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries. I pass the floor to the Permanent Representative of Myanmar. You have the floor. Microphone for Myanmar, please. Myanmar · Permanent Representative [35:03]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I would like to begin by congratulating Ambassador Pak Sjahrir Soedjito of Indonesia, President of the Human Rights Council, for his leadership and thank him for the briefing today. We particularly welcome the Council's consensus adoptions of the two resolutions on Myanmar and reporting of the dire situations of human rights in Myanmar, including the situations of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. These resolutions come at a pivotal moment, but we note with concern that the international action has stayed lacking. For more than five years now, since the unlawful military coup, the people of Myanmar continue to endure daily horrors. The plight of Rohingya refugees is devastating. Host countries are carrying the heavy burdens. Yet, the conditions for their safe, dignified, and voluntary return remains far from being conducive. In addition, the military commits horrific abuses with absolute impunity, utilizing indiscriminate airstrikes, village burning, and arbitrary detentions. The conflict deepens daily, characterised by escalating violence, massive displacement, and collapsing infrastructure, with the transnational criminal network expanding beyond Myanmar's border and the region. The junta's enjoyment of impunity is causing a severe threat to international peace and security. We must not downplay the junta's ability to destabilise regional security and undermine international norms. In fact, the atrocities brutally committed by the military junta in Myanmar have been carefully and systematically documented and collected as evidence by the IIIM. We therefore agree with the HRC resolutions on Myanmar, urging for full support and collaboration with the mechanism, as well as to all other special mandate holders so that they could fully discharge their duties. Moreover, the Council has condemned in the strongest terms the lack of progress by the military in the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2669 and the RCM five-point consensus. Regrettably, the enforcement is lacking. At this point, Mr. Chair, we now eagerly anticipate the forthcoming judgment from the ICJ as a vital step towards dismantling the military’s entrenched impunity. In this regard, with specific strategy. 3rd Committee · Chair [37:34]: I thank the Permanent Representative of Myanmar. I pass to Colombia, followed by Cuba. Colombia, you have the floor. Colombia [37:43]: Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Colombia thanks the HRC President for his report and the President's presentation, and it recognizes the work of that body in compliance with its mandate for the promotion and protection of human rights. My delegation reaffirms the importance of the Council continuing to consolidate itself as a space for open dialogue, cooperation, and constructive participation among States, guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity, and non-selectivity, and by respect for international law and international humanitarian law. We value the efforts made to strengthen technical cooperation. the strengthening of national capacities and exchanges of good practices as tools for effectively contributing to the protection of human rights. Lastly, Colombia would like to state that it considers it essential to preserve the credibility, legitimacy, and effectiveness of the multilateral human rights system by promoting an open and constructive dialogue that makes it possible to address existing challenges and make progress in solutions. As a Member State of the Council, we will continue to participate actively, responsibly, and constructively to contribute to the strengthening of mechanisms so that decisions meet the real needs of states and people, in particular through cooperation, institutional strengthening, full respect for international commitments that are legally assumed by each state. Thank you very much. 3rd Committee · Chair [39:20]: Thank you, Colombia. I pass to Cuba and then to China. Cuba, you have the floor. Cuba [39:27]: Mr. President, we're grateful to Ambassador Reza for his presentation as well as for the very professional, constructive way in which he has carried out his mandate as President of the Human Rights Council in a particularly complicated year marked by a financial crisis that affects the entire UN system. Cuba defends respectful and constructive dialogue and cooperation as effective ways for the promotion and protection of human rights. No one should try to impose their vision on everyone else. Respect for the principle of universality, indivisibility, objectivity, and non-selectivity are essential. Politization, double standards, conditioning, and pressure in dealing with that should be eliminated. The investigative mechanisms against developing countries without the consent of the state in question has unfortunately become daily practice of the Council. Cuba is against this approach. It's unacceptable, unjust, and discriminatory, using the Council to visibilize the situation in developing countries in a biased and a fabricated, often way, while the Council looks away on human rights situations in developed countries. Cuba maintains its position on dialogue with the human rights mechanisms of the Council in a universal and non-discriminatory way. At the same time, we express our concerned about the proliferation of politicized positions and incompatible with the code of conduct that governs those in charge of special mandates. This contrasts with the response of states. The human rights machinery of the United Nations cannot be used for the promotion of interference in the internal affairs of States. We reiterate our support for universal review, and we will continue to work with the Human Rights Council in favour of cooperation, dialogue, and mutual respect. Thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [41:39]: Thank you, Cuba. I pass to China, and then the Permanent Representative of Uruguay. China, you have the floor. China [41:46]: Mr. Chair, The Chinese delegation thanks Ambassador Suradhipuro, President of the Human Rights Council, for the presentation of the past year. Ambassador and the other members of the Bureau have guided the Council's discussions and overseen its work with extensive diplomatic experience. and they have played a positive role in facilitating constructive dialogue and fostering consensus among all parties. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Council. In July, the 80th session of the GA General Assembly adopted a resolution reviewing the Council's status and decided to maintain the Council as the subsidiary body of the GA. This reflects the broad consensus of the international community. Over the years, the Council has made positive contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights within the UN system and has achieved considerable progress. However, there is still room for improvement regarding the future work of the Council. China would like to make the following observations. First, the working atmosphere of the Council should be further improved. The Council is a platform for dialogue and cooperation among all parties in the promotion and protection of human rights. No country should use human rights issues as a pretext for interfering in the internal affairs of other countries or as a tool for geopolitical pressure. Second, the diversity of human rights development should be respected. There is no universal model for human rights development. The Council should respect the paths chosen by each country in accordance with its national circumstances and the aspirations of its people, advance all categories of human rights, the two categories of human rights in a balanced manner, and enhance technical assistance and capacity building. Third, efforts to improve the Council's efficiency should proceed in a prudent manner. Such efforts should be guided by the principle of Member State leadership, based on broad consultation and consensus, and ensure the integrity of the Council's institution-building resolution. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 3rd Committee · Chair [43:48]: Thank you, China. I pass to the Permanent Representative of Uruguay, and to be followed by Cameroon. Uruguay, you have the floor. Uruguay · Permanent Representative [43:55]: Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Uruguay welcomes the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Cedart Aruiza, who we thank for his work and dedication in the valuable report that he's presented. I'd like to start by stating that Uruguay fully supports the Council in its work as the body responsible for promoting the protection of human rights of all and monitoring the respect for those rights throughout the world. Uruguay was elected as a member for the 2027 to 2029, and we will assume that responsibility with the firm commitment to contributing to the international system for the protection of human rights. And at the same time, we're open to dialogue and cooperation and the spirit of compromise. We are very concerned about the structural underfunding of the human rights pillar as a result of the limited resources that it's been receiving from the regular budget. This affects the Council and its mechanisms very badly, it affects OHCHR and the treaty body system, and it definitely affects the system's ability to monitor the human rights situation and respond to urgent systems and protect victims. We recognize the efforts led by the Bureau of this Committee and the Bureau of the Council to strengthen the efficiency of our work. We also emphasize that decisions must not dilute the protection mechanisms. but it must strengthen the real impact of our negotiations on the ground. We therefore would like to take this opportunity to ask Ambassador Rees if you could share with us a summary of the results of the efforts that are being made by States in Geneva to revise the mandates for the presentation of reports and also interactive dialogues in a way that is consistent with the UN80 initiative. Thank you very much. 3rd Committee · Chair [45:48]: I thank the Permanent Representative of Uruguay. I pass the floor to Cameroon, to be followed by Nigeria. Cameroon, you have the floor. Cameroon [45:56]: I thank you, Chair. My delegation thanks the President of the Human Rights Council for his presentation. My country commends him for his leadership and appreciates his continued efforts to ensure that the Council has the necessary resources to work for greater efficiency and to focus on the Council's mandate in the interest of achieving a real impact for the people concerned, that is, contributing to the improvement of human rights. Mr. Chair, the United Nations is facing an important liquidity crisis. How is that financial situation affecting the work of the Council and compromising the implementation of established mandates? The sessions of the Council are increasingly long. The workload is increasing substantially, and this is a concern for many delegations, especially the smallest. We are very pleased with the initiatives to rationalize the Council's work. Can you give us some information on the relevant processes and discussions on these matters in Geneva? At the session of the General Assembly, we adopted a resolution on the working methods of the Council, in which we talked about improving coordination between the Third Committee and the Council to avoid overlapping and duplications and reduce the number of Council bodies that report to the Committee every year. What can you tell us has been done at the Council for the implementation of this resolution? Thank you very much. 3rd Committee · Chair [47:29]: Thank you, Cameroon. I pass the floor to Nigeria, to be followed by Switzerland. Nigeria, you have the floor. Nigeria [47:35]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nigeria thanks the President of the Human Rights Council for his report and his leadership. We affirm our commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in accordance with our international obligations and to continue cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms. As Nigeria prepares to join this Council for the 2027-2029 term, we stand ready to work with all delegations to build trust, strengthen effectiveness, and deliver practical improvements in people's lives through mutual respect and constructive dialogue. Conflict, climate change, and persistent development challenges undermine human rights worldwide. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires international cooperation that recognizes the interdependence of peace, development, and human rights. The Council's 20th anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on its achievements, shortcomings, and impact. Nigeria's call for renewed commitment to universality, impartiality, objectivity, and non-selectivity. We must guard against politicization and double standards, and strengthen trust through sincere constructive dialogue. Balanced attention to all human rights remain essential. For Nigeria and other developing countries, the right to development, poverty eradication, economic, social, and cultural rights, and combating racism remain priorities deserving sustained attention. Nigeria support reducing duplication, revealing overlapping mandates, and improving coordination between Geneva and New York. Rationalization must strengthen the Council's mandate, not diminish attention or resources for global south priorities. It must preserve meaningful participation by all States, taking account of small delegations' constraints. The Council's value ultimately lies in its impact at the national level. Technical assistance and capacity building requested by countries and aligned with their priority should strengthen national institutions and support implementation of accepted UPR recommendations. Following our fourth cycle UPR in 2024, Nigeria remains committed to implementing accepted recommendations with national institutions and stakeholders, strengthening our human rights framework and engaging constructively with United Nations mechanism on progress and remaining challenges. I thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [49:42]: Thank you, Nigeria. I pass to Switzerland, and with the following speakers: Democratic People's Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, Israel, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Nepal, and finally, Egypt. Switzerland, you have the floor. Switzerland [50:00]: Mr. Chair, the report of the Council should be dealt with only in the plenary, and I think we just have to make our national declarations to say that we appreciate the work, the contribution of the Council at its 20th cycle, but also congratulate it on its 20th anniversary. But we welcome this exchange with the President to improve the links between Geneva and New York, and we welcome the report. We have the impression that from the discussions in various the resolutions of the Third Commission and the General Assembly, that the work in Geneva is not well known, and we regret that, especially projects really in terms of wording and substance. The same thing in terms of accomplishments. in rationalization and implementation of resolution 79/192, which are undervalued. We think that the Council is efficient in the way that it executes its work programme, and in particular, it is showing its capacity to react to current events and to confirm its central role in the struggle for human rights worldwide, on thematic areas and in country-specific mandates. Mr. President, could you tell us about what’s happening here in New York with regard to the UN80 programme in terms of rationalisation and implementation of resolution 79/192, how do you think that the exchanges between the bureaus of the Council and the Third Committee can be optimised? And have you got any particular thoughts on the way in which the Council could better fulfil its prevention mandate? Thank you very much. 3rd Committee · Chair [51:40]: Mr. Lund, I pass to Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. You have the floor. Democratic People's Republic of Korea [51:49]: Mr. Chair, we welcome for the President of the Human Rights Council, which commemorated the 20th anniversary of its foundation this year. The UN, which regards peace, development, and human rights as its core pillar, is now faced with eroding trust and the worst structural crisis unprecedented in its eight-year history. This is mainly attributable to high-handed and arbitrary practices of certain states who are abusing the UN organizations, including human rights bodies, in pursuit of sinister political purposes. A typical example is continued existence of country-specific mandates and repeated adoption of resolutions selectively targeting individual states. The recent report of so-called Special Rapporteur on the The human rights situation in the DPRK presented to this Committee distorts the fact and slanders the policy of the Government of the DPRK for ensuring genuine human rights. It is a glaring example of politicization, double standard, and selectivity that mislead the international community and weaken the confidence in the impartiality of the UN human rights system. The DPRK reiterates its strong rejection to country-specific mandates and malicious practice of encroaching the state's sovereignty under the pretext of human rights. Mr. Chair, the human rights should serve as a basis for constructive engagement and international cooperation, not as an instrument for political pressure or interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. In particular, international human rights bodies, including HRC, must remain free from politicization and double standard. It is not acceptable that the HRC are abused for directing political accusations against target countries on the basis of biased, unverified, and fabricated information while turning a blind eye to other grave violations occurring elsewhere. In this regard, we affirm our strong support for the UPR. and universal, cooperative, non-discriminatory mechanism in reviewing human rights situations of all countries on equal footing through constructive dialogue. We call on the Human Rights Council to uphold the principle of sovereign equality, treat all countries in a fair, objective manner, and place dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect at the center of its work to foster genuine promotion of human rights. 3rd Committee · Chair [54:21]: Thank you, DPRK. United Kingdom. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [54:26]: Thank you, Chair. The UK recognises the important role of the Human Rights Council. It provides a vital forum for dialogue, accountability and cooperation. Its diverse range of mechanisms, including special procedures, fact-finding missions, commissions of inquiry, and the Universal Periodic Review, remain essential and unique tools in addressing human rights challenges worldwide. The Council has been at the forefront of shining a spotlight on violations and abuses, Over the past year, the Council has continued to respond to emerging and protracted crises, including through convening special sessions and urgent debates. The Council has maintained scrutiny of country situations, including Russia, both within Russia and its abuses in Ukraine, on Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, and more. We are grateful the Council was able to respond in a preventative manner and to heed warnings of the impending atrocities on El-Beid, Sudan. It is vital the Council remains vigilant and responsive. The Council has also continued to advance discussions on thematic challenges, including the human rights implications of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, demonstrating its ability to address both urgent crises and emerging global issues. We continue to support efforts to strengthen the efficiency, accessibility, and impact of the Council. President, how can we strengthen cooperation between Geneva and New York to ensure greater impact for the protection of human rights, particularly through responding to early warning information? Thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [55:55]: Thank you, United Kingdom. I pass to Israel and Venezuela. Israel, you have the floor. Israel [56:03]: Thank you, Chair. In February 2025, Israel announced that it would cease to participate in the activities of the Human Rights Council due to the Council's incessant and unapologetic institutional discrimination against Israel. The structural discrimination of the Council is epitomized by the infamous Agenda Item 7, the only permanent agenda item that isolates a single country. But it doesn't stop there. The Human Rights Council has an insatiable appetite to generate resolutions and create forever mandates that exist only for Israel, with no oversight or mandate review process. As things stand, the Human Rights Council has relinquished its duty to deliver universality, objectivity, and non-selectivity. This is not the way to restore trust. Any real process of rationalization and efficiency must address the Council’s shortcomings and the immense resource drainage that the anti-Israel fervor entails. The preliminary steps that must be taken to eliminate double standards are straightforward: Agenda item 7 must be removed from the agenda of the Human Rights Council. The perpetual, partial, and propagandist Commission of Inquiry, which is perhaps the Council’s most resource-intensive bodies, cannot continue to persist without oversight and must be dissolved. The discriminatory database, which campaigns to slander business enterprises who have committed no wrongdoing, must be dismantled. As regards the Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese's fundamental extremism, coupled with the flaws in the renewal process of her mandate in April 2025, demand the immediate cessation of her tenure. For those who missed the latest farce, the so-called UN expert appeared at a pop concert last night and called for martyrdom. There must be accountability for special procedures mandate holders who generate misinformation, hate speech, and incitement to violence. The system is dying and the leadership is silent. Addressing the system's failings is the first step to true reform and the only way to retain the Council's credibility. Thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [58:16]: Thank you. Israel, Venezuela, followed by Ethiopia. Venezuela, you have the floor. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [58:22]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Venezuela welcomes the President of the Council, and we reiterate our readiness to engage in constructive dialogue. This is an appropriate occasion to reaffirm the universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of human rights, and the principles of objectivity and non-politization that must govern the Council's work. We value the progress made towards a binding instrument guaranteeing the right to development, and we renew our call to this Assembly to start the negotiation and adoption process on that instrument. We maintain our position of principle about mechanisms that act without the consent of the State concerned. For those reasons, Venezuela does not support the renewal of the mandate of the so-called Independent International Fact-Finding Mission, it's difficult to justify parallel monitoring mechanisms when Venezuela has renewed its cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner, and the Council itself has had to take exceptional measures because of the organization's liquidity crisis. Therefore, any renewal of that mechanism must include a transitional clause moving towards the end of it. which would give way to a mechanism for cooperation, constructive dialogue and technical assistance, principally by the High Commissioner's Office, as the best way to make progress in human rights. Venezuela is advancing determination in its recovery after the earthquakes of 24 June through the Venezuela Renace, Venezuela Reborn Plan. and we value resolution 61/6 on the negative impact of UCMs, which must be lifted in order for recovery to take place. We agree with calls for strengthening and not weakening human rights mechanisms with adequate and equitable financing in a more efficient architecture that respects the sovereign equality of states. We reaffirm that the UPR remains the most appropriate and non-confrontational mechanism for examining those matters in all countries without distinction, and Venezuela is now preparing for the UPR. Thank you very much. 3rd Committee · Chair [1:00:44]: Thank you, Venezuela. I pass to Ethiopia and then Nepal. Ethiopia, you have the floor. Ethiopia [1:00:50]: Thanks, Mr. Chair. My delegation thanks the President of the Human Rights Council for the report and also welcome his presentation today. As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Council, we underscore the need to preserve the Council's credibility and effectiveness through impartiality and constructive dialogue, while safeguarding its role as a trusted pillar for the multilateral human rights system. Ethiopia also welcomes the recently adopted resolution A/ET/287 concerning the Council's role as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly. We emphasized the importance of strengthening the Council's institutional standing and ensuring that it effectively fulfills its mandate in accordance with the principles of universality and non-selectivity. We emphasized that the constructive engagement, mutual respect, and international cooperation should remain at the center of the Council's work. The promotion and protection of human rights must be pursued through a balanced and comprehensive approach that recognizes the interdependence and equal importance not only civil and political rights, but also social, economic, and cultural rights, including the right to development. Mr. Chair, we also underscore the importance of adequate resource and technical assistance to enable the Council to discharge its responsibilities effectively. emphasizing that the allocation of resource and financial support should be guided by objective needs and the priorities of all member states. Mr. President, we increasingly hear concerns about resource and liquidity constraints being cited as challenges to the effective functioning of the Council and its mechanisms. In this regard, how can we ensure that ongoing reform efforts are guided by objective institutional and financial considerations, rather than being influenced by ideological perspectives. Furthermore, could you also update us on the follow-up being envisaged regarding resolution 79/192 on the working methods of the Third Committee presented by the African Group, and how far this has contributed to strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of the Council's work particularly on the number of interactive dialogues. I thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [1:03:06]: Thank you, Ethiopia. I pass to Nepal, then finally Egypt. Nepal, you have the floor. Nepal [1:03:13]: Mr. Chair, Nepal thanks the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Shuryo Dipo, for the reports and his leadership. Nepal remains deeply committed to the promotion and protection of human rights. democratic values, and the rule of law at both national and international levels. We firmly believe that human rights, peace, security, and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing. As reflected in the reports presented before this committee, Nepal underscores the vital importance of international cooperation, technical assistance, and capacity building in addressing global challenges such as economic inequalities, climate vulnerabilities, and the protection of vulnerable groups. Building upon our constructive engagement with UN human rights mechanisms, most notably demonstrated by the successful adoption of our fourth cycle Universal Periodic Review outcome, where we proudly supported 225 out of 284 recommendations. Nepal approached this review with openness and a commitment to human rights, and is fully committed to the effective implementation of the accepted recommendations. These will guide our efforts to the protection and promotion of human rights as we continue to advance reform, strengthen the rule of law, promote good governance, and improve the well-being of our people. Nepal's utmost dedication to transparency and progress was further affirmed by the international community through Nepal's successful election as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2027 to 2029 term. securing an overwhelming 173 votes out of 180 cast in the General Assembly. In order to translate these commitments into tangible results, we will continue to work closely with all stakeholders in the country in a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. And we look forward to receiving continuous cooperation from the international community and development partners. age of vibrant democracy, Nepal reiterates its resolute commitment to achieving the collective and endeavors upholding human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law as we take up our upcoming Council responsibilities and advance our fourth cycle UPR outcomes. I thank you. 3rd Committee · Chair [1:05:38]: Thank you, Nepal. I pass finally to Egypt. You have the floor. Egypt [1:05:43]: Thank you, Mr. Chair, and we appreciate the Indonesian Presidency during this year for the Council, and I would like to make the following points. The Council's 20th anniversary offers an opportunity to enhance its effectiveness. sustainability and focus on national implementation, technical cooperation, and tangible improvements in human rights. We stress the need for a balanced agenda that safeguards economic, social, and cultural rights, the right to development, and developing countries' priorities. We affirm the importance of addressing human rights violations by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories, ensuring civilian protection, respect for international law, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and accountability. We emphasize that preserving the cooperative nature of agenda item 10, ensuring that technical assistance reflects national priorities without becoming another avenue for country-specific investigations or monitoring while protecting its funding. Regarding the UPR cycle, priority should be given to quality and implementation of recommendations while preserving universality, equal treatment, and cooperation without additional reporting burdens. We recognize the contribution of special procedures, while emphasizing impartiality, objectivity, constructive dialogue, and respect for national perspectives. On financial constraints, we stress that efforts must address mandate proliferation, duplication, and reporting burdens, rather than merely reducing speaking times or limiting substantive negotiations. Efficiency must not undermine the Council's intergovernmental character, meaningful state participation or equitable treatment of established and emerging mandates. We also call for greater inclusivity and transparency in drafting resolutions through broader participation in core groups, earlier consultations, and meaningful consideration of regional perspectives. I thank you, Chair. 3rd Committee · Chair [1:07:49]: Thank you, Egypt. That brings to a conclusion interventions from the floor. It's now my very great pleasure to hand the floor back to the President for your responses, any further remarks, as you wish. Thank you. We have until 4:00 PM. HRC · President [1:08:13]: Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to all distinguished representatives. I can group the views and queries. into a few issues, and if you permit, within existing time, Mr. Chairman, my colleague from the Office of the High Commissioner could also fill in on some of the details as well as her views. Now, the first is that the Council, this is almost a cliche, but the Council is a body of member states, and member states come with differing views. differing positions and perspectives. And this is basically a political house. And I can see that there are a number of, you know, a few layers of differences. There are differences when it comes to civil political rights and economic, social, cultural rights, or right to development. Another way of putting it is differences when it comes to individual rights and collective rights, and then when it comes to country-specific resolutions and thematic resolutions. Now, a few of you have also referred to this from your various national perspectives, but there's also a lot of overlaps between them. So it's not really a black and white division, but it is a spectrum. of use. And really, the question is about, many of you have raised the concept of universality, of indivisibility, the interrelatedness. And this is where I believe that the Council, that the member states, the observers, can really work on finding the common ground rather than focusing on differences. So it is about the indivisibility of human rights. At the retreat that I hosted last week in Bali, I think this also came out very strongly on the indivisibility of human rights. Another aspect that came out strongly in Bali was that for many representatives who spoke, and this may represent the views of many, if not all of you, is that in respective countries, human rights is also a journey. None of us come from a country with a perfect human rights record. All countries would have its own journey, but it is going into the same direction, and this is where we have space for dialogue and cooperation which precisely underpins the spirit of the Human Rights Council. Now, turning to the current situation of the liquidity situation, the global political situation as a whole, what is, I believe, is important is if we collectively want to defend the international human rights architecture, The question is then, how do we leverage on the resources that the system has? And therefore, we should turn to looking at how to cooperate greater with national human rights institutions. The national human rights institutions are those bodies. that are on the ground, they are best situated in translating the multilateral language into implementation on the ground. Now, admitting that not all human rights institutions are created equal, each would have their own issues, but it is a matter of strengthening cooperation with NHRIs, and secondly, with regional organizations. How would the Human Rights Council work better with regional organizations? Again, provided that not all regions would have regional organizations and not all regional organizations would have mandate on human rights matters. Now, the other part I would call as consolidation. How would the UN system consolidate better? Earlier today, in the plenary, I mentioned that consolidation should take place at three levels. The first one is between UN bodies, so in this particular case, between the Third Committee and the Human Rights Council. So I'm very pleased that the Chairman and I, we held quite an extensive discussion in mapping out how in practical ways this could be manifested. And this would follow on the initiative coming out of the Third Committee about how to reduce basically mandates emanating from Geneva that would come up in New York. So this is, I think, that one way of doing it is by addressing the issue of streamlining, how to achieve synergies. And I hope this is something that I built, that's something that my predecessor started. I am building that I'm quite optimistic that subsequent presidents will also continue to build with the chair of the third committee. Now turning to the issues about Geneva and New York, I think this is also partly something that we are working on. Another layer that could also be manifested is what currently in the Human Rights Council, I mentioned earlier, a checklist is being developed for countries that are coming out with resolutions, a checklist on issues such as on PBI, on impact on the program of work, on sunset clauses, and on overlapping with other resolutions, et cetera. I think the Human Rights Council being one of the GA subsidiary body, The GA would be in a position then to also see what other subsidiary bodies are doing, and this would overall support the mandate implementation review being undertaken by the General Assembly. I'd like to express appreciation to our colleague from Nepal on her her commitment, Nepal's commitment, to fully implement UPR recommendations. I think this is very commendable. And finally, responding to the issue raised by the distinguished representative of Israel about item 7. Now, as I mentioned earlier, this is the Human Rights Council is a body of member states. So decisions of the Human Rights Council is a collective decision of member states. And therefore, to my mind, the best place to address this would also be at the Human Rights Council. And it may be the delegation of Israel may consider also reengaging with the Human Rights Council and address those specific issues in the Human Rights Council, even as This forum also provides an avenue to engage on the issues that she has raised. Now, if you permit me, Mr. Chairman, within the existing time limit. OHCHR [1:17:09]: Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Chairman, with your permission. I would like to just supplement the comprehensive information that has been given by the President, both in his introductory remarks and now in his responses, with some technical information on the cluster of questions that were asked by some delegations regarding the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 79/192 on the working methods of the Third Committee. and also how the Council has worked to implement the UN80 track on mandate review. Both of these clusters converge in terms of efficiency and rationalization efforts. So, regarding the implementation of Resolution 79/192, as delegations may recall, this resolution mandated the elaboration of a roadmap to be mutually agreed by the Bureau of the Third Committee and the Bureau of the Human Rights Council to reduce the number of council mechanisms that are reporting to the General Assembly. This roadmap, as you may be aware of, was discussed extensively last year between the two previous bureaus, and the roadmap was agreed. In follow-up to that roadmap and to the resolution, The Council has reduced its, the mandates to report from its mechanisms to the General Assembly in 10 instances. So there are 10 special rapporteurs who no longer report annually to the General Assembly. The reporting periodicity has been either biennialized or has been subject to ad hoc, you know, adjustments where they will not be reporting to the General Assembly every year, and we are happy to provide more details at the request of delegations. Aside from that, there are three cases where two special procedures have been merged into one, as you may be aware, the one on sale and trafficking with the Special Rapporteur on slavery. And then two special rapporteurs, their mandate has not been renewed, so they no longer exist, and therefore, they no longer report. So that is the progress that has been made in terms of streamlining of reporting obligations. And regarding UN 80, as the president has mentioned, the co-facilitators on efficiency and rationalization have have made considerable progress, and delegations are in fact using the tools that have been agreed by the ad hoc working group here in New York for Council mandates. Thank you very much. 3rd Committee · Chair [1:20:15]: Thank you so much for that contribution. Can I thank the President of the Human Rights Council very much indeed for your report today and your engagement? reaffirm that we've had very, very good conversations between us about how we can build a better bridge between the Third Committee and the Human Rights Council, and that will be an ongoing discussion. That brings today's proceedings to a conclusion. We will resume our consideration of agenda item 68, elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. on Monday morning, 2 November, at 10 AM sharp. And as mentioned before, all relevant information concerning the proceedings of the Committee are on the iGov site. President OHCHR, can I thank you very much indeed for your time and contribution? Thank you.