The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold its sixty-second regular session from 15 June to 7 July 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, according to a press release from the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The session will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, 15 June, under the presidency of Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro of Indonesia. The opening will be addressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who will present his annual report. The Council will meet in the Assembly Hall of the Palais des Nations.
Session Scope and Agenda
Over almost four weeks, the Council will consider more than 60 reports presented by the Secretariat of the United Nations and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, human rights experts and other investigative bodies. These reports cover numerous topics and are relevant to the situation of human rights in 20 countries. In total, the Council will hold 25 interactive dialogues, the source reported.
High-Profile Interactive Dialogues
During the session, the Council will hold interactive dialogues with and hear presentations from the High Commissioner on his annual report and on attacks by Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan under agenda item two. Other dialogues under various agenda items include:
- Agenda item 2: Enhanced interactive dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. Also, an interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel.
- Agenda item 3: Dialogues on anti-personnel mines, climate change, migrants, trafficking, violence against women, freedom of expression, and more.
- Agenda item 4: Dialogues on Venezuela, Nicaragua, Myanmar, Burundi, and Belarus.
- Agenda item 10: Dialogues on Georgia, Colombia, and Ukraine, plus a presentation of the Secretary-General’s interim report on the situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Panel Discussions
Several panel discussions will be held during the session on:
- Climate financing
- Empowerment of women and girls in and through sport
- Domestic violence against women and girls
- Human rights violations experienced by women and women in decision-making and diplomacy (under agenda item 3)
- Technical cooperation and capacity-building in supporting States in the full and effective realisation of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (under agenda item 10)
Universal Periodic Review
The final outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of 13 States will be considered under agenda item six: Micronesia, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nauru, Rwanda, Nepal, Saint Lucia, Oman, Austria, Australia, Georgia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Sao Tome and Principe.
First Week Highlights (15–19 June)
The session will open on Monday, 15 June, with the High Commissioner presenting his annual report. Subsequently, the Deputy High Commissioner will present an oral update on the human rights consequences resulting from the unprovoked attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. The first day will conclude with an interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel.
On Tuesday, 16 June, the Council will begin discussions under agenda item three, holding an interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity. Wednesday, 17 June, will feature dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the right to health, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, and others. Thursday, 18 June, will include dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease). On Friday, 19 June, the Council will hold its annual panel discussion on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights, focusing on climate financing.
Second Week Focus: Rights of Women and Girls
A major theme of the second week (22 June onwards) will be the rights of women and girls. On Monday, 22 June, the Council will hold three interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls. On Tuesday, 23 June, the Council will for the first time hold a panel discussion on the intensification of efforts to empower women and girls in and through sport, according to the source.
Table: Key Agenda Items and Corresponding Countries/Dialogues
| Agenda Item | Interactive Dialogues / Themes | Countries/Entities Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Item 2 | Annual report of High Commissioner; attacks by Iran | Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan |
| Item 2 | Enhanced dialogues: Sudan Fact-Finding Mission, Eritrea Special Rapporteur | Sudan, Eritrea |
| Item 2 | Occupied Palestinian Territory Commission of Inquiry | Palestine, Israel |
| Item 3 | Various thematic dialogues (health, education, climate, etc.) | Global |
| Item 4 | Human rights situations | Venezuela, Nicaragua, Myanmar, Burundi, Belarus |
| Item 10 | Technical cooperation; Ukraine interim report | Georgia, Colombia, Ukraine, South Sudan |
| Item 6 | Universal Periodic Review outcomes | 13 States (see list above) |
Relevance for Trade Professionals
While the session is primarily focused on human rights, the outcomes and recommendations from the Council can influence trade policies, sanctions regimes, and bilateral relations. For importers and exporters, particularly those dealing with countries under Council scrutiny—such as Iran, Myanmar, or Belarus—the dialogues may signal potential changes in trade conditions or compliance requirements. The Council’s discussions on business and human rights (under agenda item 3 and item 5) directly address the role of transnational corporations and the Forum on Business and Human Rights, underscoring the importance of human rights due diligence for global trade.
All meetings of this session will be broadcast on UN Web TV.
For a detailed agenda and full list of reports, visit the session’s web page on the United Nations Office at Geneva website.
Sources:
