Opening statements by:

- Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, HRC President
- António Guterres, UN Secretary-General (see attached PDF)
- Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (see attached PDF)
- Annalena Baerbock, UN General Assembly President (see attached PDF)
- Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.

61st session of the Human Rights Council - Opening statements by Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, HRC President; António Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Annalena Baerbock, UN General Assembly President and Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.

The 61st session of the Human Rights Council opened Monday 23 February 2026 and will run until 31 March 2026. The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.

It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Opening statements by:

- Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, HRC President
- António Guterres, UN Secretary-General (see attached PDF)
- Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (see attached PDF)
- Annalena Baerbock, UN General Assembly President (see attached PDF)
- Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.

Links for more information:

• General

OHCHR | 61st session of the Human Rights Council (23 February - 31 March 2026) Main pageResolutions, decisions and President's statementsDocumentation OHCHR

• Schedule:

61st regular session of the Human Rights Council Schedule & Directory See the full schedule of events happening Feb 23 - Mar 31, 2026 and explore the directory of . sched