Morocco will host and preside over the first-ever retreat of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in the MENA region, and only the second on the African continent, that will be held from November 21-22 in Rabat, according to Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The retreat will create a dialogue space to foster reflection on the review process regarding the UNHRC’s status by the UN General Assembly, in line with the resolution establishing the Council.
The retreat will also focus on the proposals put forward by UNHCR President Omar Zniber, Morocco’s permanent representative to the UNHCR who holds the current presidency in 2024, to streamline and enhance the effectiveness of the UNHRC. Those proposals are currently being discussed with various co-facilitators.
The meeting is expected to discuss ways to improve coordination between UN bodies with human rights mandates in both Geneva and New York to ensure greater coherence in the UN’s human rights work.
Initiated originally in 2010 in Bangkok, the retreat process has since been adopted by countries that have presided over the UNHRC, including Germany, Slovenia, Senegal, Switzerland, and Austria. These retreats have proven valuable for facilitating in-depth discussions, particularly leading to the adoption of the UN General Assembly’s resolution governing the functioning of the UNHRC.
The retreats allow UNHRC presidents to engage with various stakeholders to identify and explore solutions to enhance the Council’s effectiveness and efficiency.
The meetings also enable a thorough examination of current challenges, gathering diverse perspectives, and proposing improvements to optimize the Council’s work and impact on human rights.
This year’s retreat will bring together member states, regional group coordinators, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and civil society representatives, facilitating wide-ranging and in-depth exchanges, the statement concluded.