Human rights body also endorses efficiency measures in response to the United Nations budgetary and liquidity crisis
GENEVA - The Human Rights Council today elected the following to serve as vice presidents of the Geneva-based body for a one-year term beginning 1 January 2026: Ambassadors Tsegab Kebebew Daka of Ethiopia (Group of African States), Riia Salsa-Audiffren of Estonia (Group of Eastern European States) and Marcos Gómez Martínez of Spain (Group of Western European and other States).
Ambassador Gómez Martínez will serve as Rapporteur. A fourth vice-president, from the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, will be elected later, as will a president from the Group of Asia-Pacific States.
Before the elections, the Council adopted a draft President's statement (A/HRC/OS/19/L.1) titled "Efficiency at the Human Rights Council: addressing financial and time constraints."
In the statement, the Council welcomed steps taken in 2025 to streamline reporting, reduce duplication and strengthen coordination, while extending previously agreed time- and cost-saving measures for Council sessions and the Universal Periodic Review. The Council also requested the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN office which implements its mandates, to increase efficiency and transparency by expanding training, integrating and upgrading digital tools, exploring artificial intelligence (AI) for multilingual support, and continue discussions on improving effectiveness.
Earlier, the Council heard an update from Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, on the feasibility of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights implementing Human Rights Council-mandated activities in 2025-2026 amid the United Nations budgetary and liquidity crisis.
"The liquidity crisis has affected every aspect of our work," Ms. Al-Nashif told Member States. "All mandated activities, both thematic and country-specific, have been or are being delivered in a reduced form. The consequences are real and far-reaching."
"The financial outlook for 2026 remains deeply concerning, compounding an already critical situation," she added. "Every step taken by States to streamline, merge, or conclude mandates will make a real difference, enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and impact, while easing the strain on over-stretched and under-resourced capacities."
In addition, the Council heard an update from Vitali Rousak, Chief of the Central Planning and Coordination Branch, Division of Conference Management, at the United Nations Office at Geneva, on actual and envisaged resources for conference services provided to the Council.
The Council also heard from co-facilitators examining:
- the rationalization of initiatives and activities created through the Council's decisions for a greater efficiency of the programme of work
- the use of modern technology in the work of the Council, and on follow up on the implementation of the relevant tools and activities
- addressing challenges faced by delegations from small and developing countries, in particular small island developing States and Least Developed Countries
Maira Mariela Macdonal Alvarez, Permanent Representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, briefed the Council on her activities as Gender Focal Point including for cases of sexual- and gender-based harassment in the Council, and Răzvan Rusu, Permanent Representative of Romania, presented an oral report on the work of the Council Task Force on accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Council members also decided to hold a high-level panel discussion at its 61st session (23 February-2 April 2026) on the role of new and emerging digital technologies in preventing and eliminating female genital mutilation.
The following States and intergovernmental organization took the floor: Albania, Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the European Union, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Maldives, Mexico, New Zealand, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Ukraine, Uruguay, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The International Service for Human Rights also delivered a statement.
In closing remarks, Ambassador Jürg Lauber, whose term as President of the Human Rights Council ends on 31 December 2025, said: "The Human Rights Council remains an indispensable institution. … It highlights situations of serious and systematic human rights violations, in which victims urgently need our action and support. [And] it brings together the best experts from all over the world and enables them to exchange experiences and develop joint and tailor-made solutions through which all human rights can be promoted effectively and sustainably."
The meeting was webcast on UN Web TV.
The Council next meets on 16 December to hold interactive dialogues on an oral update by Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, on the findings of his office's report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine, and on an oral update by Mr. Türk on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
