STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 62nd Session.
Introduction at adoption. Item 6. Draft resolution L.10
Statement delivered by Martin Torbergsen, Minister Counsellor, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. on behalf of the cross-regional core group that consists of Argentina, Armenia, Fiji, Pakistan, South Africa and Norway.
Check against delivery
07.07.2026
President,
I have the honor to introduce draft resolution L.10, Strengthening the Voluntary Funds for the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism of the Human Rights Council.
My delegation presents this resolution on behalf of a cross-regional core group that consists of Argentina, Armenia, Fiji, Pakistan and South Africa, in addition to my own country Norway.
This draft resolution builds on and updates resolution 51/30 from 2022, adopted by consensus with a very substantial number of cosponsors.
The two UPR Voluntary Funds were established in 2007. One facilitates participation and greater engagement of States with the UPR, especially least developed countries and small island developing States. The other supports the implementation of UPR recommendations at the national level.
Resolution 51/30 requested, inter alia, the scaling up of the dedicated capacity of OHCHR’s UPR Branch to implement the mandates of the two UPR Voluntary Funds. As a result, 11 UPR advisers have been deployed in OHCHR regional offices and hubs.
President,
Draft resolution L.10 acknowledges the importance of the deployment of these UPR advisers and the work that they do in cooperation with States.
It also recognizes the important and impactful support that the two Funds provide to States, both when it comes to participation and implementation.
Furthermore and importantly, draft resolution L.10 requests the continuation of OHCHR’s dedicated capacity by way of the UPR advisors to implement the mandates of the two Voluntary Funds beyond the fourth UPR cycle and for the duration of the fifth.
Lastly, draft resolution L.10 encourages States to consider contributing to the Funds.
President,
This initiative clearly resonates among Members and Observers alike. The core group wishes to thank delegations for their positive engagement, both in and out of informals. We thank in particular the over 70 cosponsors from all regions, and we encourage other delegations to consider cosponsoring as well.
We ask the Council to adopt this draft resolution by consensus.
Thank you.