The 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council opened on Monday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, with Morocco participating through a high-level official delegation.
The opening session, chaired by Indonesian Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, President of the Council for this year, featured speeches by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
This session, running until March 31, will review over 80 reports and host around 20 interactive debates with independent experts and mandate holders. Over more than five weeks, the 47 member states will examine human rights situations in nearly forty countries, as well as thematic reports on torture, cultural rights, the right to food, the environment, counter-terrorism, and privacy protection.
A high-level segment from February 23 to 25 will gather representatives from more than 100 countries, including six heads of state or government, over 70 foreign ministers, 13 justice ministers and attorneys general, along with other key speakers.
Several roundtables will also address strategic issues, including human rights and the culture of peace, sustainable development financing, inclusive infrastructure considering disabilities, and the protection of children’s rights, particularly in armed conflicts.
Morocco is represented by a delegation led by the Interministerial Delegate for Human Rights, Mohamed El Habib Belkouch, who will deliver Morocco’s statement during the high-level segment.
In parallel, he will chair a high-level side event on the International Network of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up, coordinated by Morocco. Organized in partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and several permanent missions in Geneva, the event will present the Network’s achievements, adopt its 2026-2030 action plan, and launch its virtual platform.
The meeting also aims to encourage new memberships to strengthen cooperation and the exchange of experiences among national mechanisms.
Mohamed El Habib Belkouch will also hold bilateral meetings with UN officials and international human rights personalities, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to international cooperation and the sharing of its expertise in promoting and protecting human rights.
