Pre-session meeting between the HRC President and the Asia-Pacific States Group (APG) ahead of the HRC-58th

Asia-Pacific Group of the Human Rights Council held its Pre-session meeting ahead of the HRC-58th with the presence of Jurg LAUBER Current president of the HRC as the key note speaker

In a meeting held on Monday, 17 February 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva with the presidency of the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran and presence of Ambassadors and Diplomats from the Member States of the Asia-Pacific Group of the Human Rights Council, the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Switzerland stated that his main priority is to improve the professionalism and effectiveness of Council sessions, particularly in restoring the lost diplomatic spaces for overcoming challenges and disputes.

The HRC’s president referred to other priorities as maintaining and supporting the gender balance and parity in affairs, continuing efforts for enhancing the council’s efficiency; reviewing of the Human Rights Council (HRC) work to ensure reaching to the deadline of 2026; reinforcing Geneva and New York relations and collaboration on human rights; and enhancing the engagement with civil society.

The members of the Asia-Pacific Group expressed their gratitude to the President of the Human Rights Council and other members of the bureau for fulfilling the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) request regarding Council time adjustment with Holy Ramadan. 

They also requested that the processes related to the review of the work of the Council be carried out in a way that the place and method of consultations guarantee the principle of inclusiveness. It was also emphasized that the President and Vice-Presidents of the Council prevent any politicization during the meetings and refrain the participants of using terminologies non- confirming with the standard of the UN.