STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 58th Session
Item 6 - General Debate.
Joint Statement GoF of the UPR.
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tormod C. Endresen, Permanent Representative of Norway on behalf of the Group of Friends of the UPR
(Argentina, Armenia, Fiji, Pakistan, South Africa and Norway).
Check against delivery
26 March 2025
Thank you Mr. President,
I make this statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of the UPR Argentina, Armenia, Fiji, Pakistan, South Africa and my own country, Norway.
We reiterate our firm commitment to the Universal Periodic Review as a unique and universal mechanism under the Council for the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.
We wish to underscore the importance of fully implementing HRC resolution 51/30, which calls for renewed focus on the UPR process as well as for the necessary resources to ensure its effectiveness.
The resolution aims to strengthen the UPR through dedicated OHCHR capacity in all regions, providing essential technical support to states, including through strengthened UPR Trust Funds. On the one hand, this should ensure universal participation of states in the UPR process, and on the other, support their engagement in the follow up to the UPR reviews.
We are soon to approach the conclusion of the fourth UPR cycle and can start preparing for the fifth. Despite the progress achieved, the funding challenges of the UPR Trust Funds for Participation and for Implementation continue. This may negatively affect the impact of the UPR mechanism, particularly among LDCs and SIDS.
Well-funded UPR Trust Funds are important tools for preserving the universality and inclusivity of the UPR process, ensuring meaningful participation in the upcoming fifth cycle, and implementation and follow-up.
We therefore renew our call to members and observers of the Council to continue engaging with the UPR and prioritizing the implementation of resolution 51/30, with a particular focus on addressing the funding needs of the UPR Trust Funds. We ask countries that have not contributed before to consider doing so, and previous donors to consider renewing their commitment. This would go a long way towards ensuring that the UPR remains, a robust and effective mechanism for all states.
Thank you.