The United Nations Human Rights Council opened its 61st session Monday at the Palace of Nations in Geneva, with Morocco among the participating countries.
The opening meeting was chaired by Indonesia’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, who serves as president of the council for this year.
Speakers included U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, U.N. General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
The session, which runs through March 31, includes more than 80 reports and about 20 interactive dialogues with independent and special mandate experts.
Over more than five weeks, the council’s 47 member states will examine the human rights situation in nearly 40 countries, along with thematic reports covering issues including torture, cultural rights, the right to food, the environment, counterterrorism and the protection of privacy.
The high-level segment, scheduled for Feb. 23-25, is expected to draw representatives from more than 100 countries. Six heads of state or government, more than 70 foreign ministers and 13 justice ministers and attorneys general are slated to address the council.
The agenda also includes roundtables on human rights and a culture of peace, financing for sustainable development, disability-inclusive infrastructure such as transport and housing, and children’s rights, including violations against children in armed conflict.
Morocco is represented by a delegation led by Ministerial Delegate for Human Rights Mohamed El Habib Belkouch, who will deliver the country’s statement during the high-level segment.
Belkouch is also scheduled to chair a high-level side event dedicated to the International Network of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up, which Morocco coordinates.
The meeting, set for Feb. 24, is being organized in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the permanent missions of Morocco, Brazil, Portugal and Paraguay to the United Nations in Geneva, as well as the Global Rights Group.
It will present the network’s achievements, including the adoption of its 2026-2030 action plan and the launch of its virtual platform. Organizers also aim to renew calls for countries to join the network to strengthen experience-sharing and enhance the role of national human rights mechanisms.
On the sidelines of the session, Belkouch is expected to hold bilateral meetings with U.N. officials and international human rights figures. Discussions will also address cooperation on upcoming international events scheduled to be hosted by Morocco this year.
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