The opening session, chaired by Ambassador Siddharto Reza Suryodiboro, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to Geneva, in his capacity as President of the Human Rights Council for this year, featured speeches by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.

The agenda for this session, which runs until March 31, includes more than 80 reports and approximately 20 interactive dialogues with independent and appointed experts. Over the course of more than five weeks, the 47 Member States will examine the human rights situation in approximately 40 countries, in addition to several thematic reports focusing on issues such as torture, cultural rights, the right to food, the environment, counter-terrorism, and the protection of privacy.

The high-level segment, scheduled from February 23 to 25, will see the participation of representatives from more than 100 countries. Six heads of state or government, more than 70 ministers of foreign affairs, and 13 ministers of justice and attorneys general, along with other senior officials, are expected to address the session.

The agenda also includes roundtable discussions on several issues, most notably human rights and a culture of peace; financing for sustainable development; inclusive and accessible infrastructure for persons with disabilities, including transportation and housing; and children's rights, particularly violations committed against children in armed conflict.

Morocco is represented at this session by a delegation headed by the Minister Delegate for Human Rights, Mohamed Habib Belkouch, who will deliver the Kingdom’s statement during the high-level plenary meeting. The Minister Delegate will also chair a high-level side event dedicated to the International Network of National Implementation, Reporting and Monitoring Mechanisms, of which Morocco serves as coordinator.

This meeting, to be held on February 24 in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Permanent Missions of Morocco, Brazil, Portugal, and Paraguay to the United Nations in Geneva, and the Global Rights Group, will focus on presenting the Network’s achievements, particularly the adoption of its Action Plan for the period 2026–2030 and the launch of its virtual platform.

The meeting also aims to renew the call for membership in the Network in order to encourage the exchange of experiences and strengthen the role of national mechanisms.

On the sidelines of this important UN session, Mr. Belkouch will hold bilateral meetings with several UN officials and international human rights figures, reflecting the openness of the Ministerial Delegation for Human Rights to international engagement and its commitment to sharing Morocco’s experience in promoting and protecting human rights.

On the same occasion, discussions will also address various forms of cooperation with relevant bodies and experts concerning international events that Morocco will host during the current year.