The contribution of universal participation to the mainstreaming of human rights throughout the UN system on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to Support the Participation of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in the Work of the Human Rights Council

High-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming

Secretary-General,
Distinguished President of the General Assembly,
Distinguido Presidente del Consejo,
Dear Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,
Madame la Secrétaire générale de l’OIF Louise Mushikiwabo,
Excellencies,

I am particularly delighted that His Excellency Abdulla Shahid is participating in this important discussion – and not only because, as President of the General Assembly, he stands for the universality of the United Nations.

It was his country, the Maldives – together with Mauritius – which drew our attention to the specific needs of least developed countries and small island developing states. Resolution 19/26,  which established the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to support participation by Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in the work of the Council, arose from that initiative.

Today, as we mark the Fund's 10th anniversary, we have an opportunity to take stock of its first decade of achievements, and assess ways to advance that work in the future.

As requested, my Office has submitted a report on the operations of the Trust Fund (A/HRC/49/92).

Allow me to highlight some of its achievements.

The Fund has enabled 172 LDC and SIDS government officials to attend regular sessions of the Council. 95% of them were attending the Council for the first time.

71 out of 72 eligible LDCs and SIDS have benefited from the Fund's programmes.

The Fund is a Gender Champion: 60% of its beneficiaries to date have been wome           

It has had significant impact in building partnerships, including with inter-governmental organisations that provide technical assistance to LDCs and SIDS. I am delighted that the Heads of some of these organisations are participating in today’s discussion.

Beneficiaries of the Fund have enriched this Council's debates. They have returned home with renewed human rights expertise – creating, in several cases, new momentum for action.

And they have opened our eyes to perspectives and challenges that should engage us all.

Many SIDS and LDCs have been instrumental in raising the human rights challenges posed by climate change, and advocating the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. They have helped us engage more powerful, more relevant work.

For all these reasons and more, we welcome every step towards greater universality.

Allow me to cite the case of Samoa.

Over the last decade, assistance from the Fund meant that five women representatives from Samoa have attended the Council’s regular sessions. Now Samoa has decided to open a Permanent Mission in Geneva. We look forward to working closely with Ambassador designate Tavita-Levy.

Excellencies,

Every step towards more inclusion enriches all of us – and advances the rights of all people to raise their voices and participate in global institutions.

I want to emphasise my commitment to multilingualism. As a non-native English speaker, I fully understand the injustice and challenges of operating exclusively in one language.

J'aimerais saluer les efforts de l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie et l’excellente coopération que nous avons developpé depuis 20 ans pour soutenir les droits humains.

We will continue to deepen our cooperation within the framework of the Council, including initiatives such as workshops with OI F and Inter-Parliamentary,  to increase the UPR's visibility and impact, and to assist States to implement recommendations.

Mr President,

Despite COVID restrictions, the LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund has been able to support the participation of 19 delegates in 2021, including 15 at the September session – the largest cohort since it was established.

I salute all its former delegates – those who are among us and those attending this discussion remotely. Thank you for bringing your perspectives, visions and experiences to our work.

I also want to thank the 31 donors that support the work of the Fund, which constitutes an excellent example of tangible and concrete capacity-building.

I look forward to the contributions of our speakers and panel. And above all, I look forward to working with the representatives of all States, all peoples and civil society representatives to further advance justice and human rights.

Thank you.