Minister Richmond to attend the Human Rights Council’s High Level Segment

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, will attend the High Level Segment of the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland today, 25 February 2025.

This meeting provides an opportunity for UN Member States to reaffirm their commitment to the international human rights system. It will also include interventions from the United Nations Secretary General, the President of the UN General Assembly and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Minister Richmond will deliver an address to the Human Rights Council and meet with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk. Minister Richmond will also speak at the Conference on Disarmament and meet with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and the Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development, Rebeca Grynspan.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Richmond said: “At a time of significant challenges for international human rights, Ireland stands firm in our commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order. I am looking forward to meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and reiterating Ireland’s support for his Office, which conducts vital work in monitoring, documenting, and protecting human rights around the world.

“I am also pleased to address the Human Rights Council and to confirm that Ireland will run for membership of the Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term. Throughout our campaign for Human Rights Council membership, and if elected as a member of the Council, Ireland will continue to champion universal human rights at home and internationally, within the EU and the UN.

“Ireland has experience of reconciliation and resilience, of development and of progress towards equality, and will bring a unique, constructive perspective to this forum. Ireland has been a dedicated member of the United Nations for 70 years, and we will continue to uphold the UN values international cooperation and respect for equal rights through the Human Rights Council.”

The Human Rights Council (HRC), composed of 47 Member States, is the main intergovernmental body within the UN responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world and for addressing situations of human rights violations.

Ireland is seeking election for Membership of the Council for the 2027-2029 term. The High Level Segment marks the opening of this Human Rights Council session, which will run for six weeks. Throughout the session, Ireland will engage with United Nations Special Rapporteurs and human rights experts, and actively participate in negotiations on thematic and country-specific human rights resolutions.

Minister Richmond’s address to the HRC will take place during the opening session of the HRC’s High Level Segment. In addition to reiterating Ireland’s strong commitment to human rights, the rule of law and multilateralism, Ireland’s participation is particularly relevant this year, as 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of Ireland joining the UN and the launch of Ireland’s campaign for membership of the Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term.

The Conference for Disarmament is the single multilateral disarmament-negotiating forum of the international community. The national address to the High Level Segment of the Conference is a signature occasion to set out at political level Ireland’s longstanding commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation.