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The 49th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council Session begins in Geneva

28 February 2022

28 February 2022, Geneva, Switzerland: The 49th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council began today in Geneva, Switzerland, opening with a High-Level Segment that will continue from from 28 February to 2 March 2022. This will be followed by the general segment of the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council, from 3 March – 1April 2022.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Khaleel will address the High-Level Segment on 2 March 2022. In his statement, State Minister Khaleel will highlight the importance of vaccine equity and provide an update on the work undertaken by the Maldives to address climate change. He will also stress on the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in promoting peace and security throughout the world.

In line with the government’s key policies and priorities, the Maldives’ delegation will deliver national statements under several agenda items. The Maldives will also deliver a joint statement for the High-Level Mainstreaming Panel, on behalf of a group of Small Island Developing States based in Geneva. Maldives, with a cross regional core group, will also put forward a resolution to strengthen the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to enhance the participation of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in the work of the Human Rights Council. At the sidelines of the Human Rights Council, Maldives, together with other members of the Core Group on Human Rights and Environment, will hold a side event on the IPCC 2022 Climate Change Report and its Relationship with the Effective Enjoyment of the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment. During this event, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, H.E. Ms. Aminath Shauna will deliver special remarks.

The Maldives’ delegation for the High-Level Segment of the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council will be led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Khaleel. The delegation will also include H.E. Dr. Asim Ahmed, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva, H.E Mr. Ahmed Shiaan, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hawla Ahmed Didi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Offices at Geneva, Mr. Hassan Hussain Shihab, Counsellor of the Maldives Mission to the United Nations Offices at Geneva and Mr. Adam Hamid, Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Maldives has previously served as a Member of the Human Rights Council from 2011 to 2016 for two consecutive terms. The Maldives has now presented its candidature to the Council for the term 2023-2025, the elections for which is scheduled to be held during the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in October-November 2022, in New York.

The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations System, consisting of 47 Member States that are responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.