BAMRO

Human Rights Council’s 60th Session and the 60 Million Dollar Deficit

As I prepare to travel to Geneva to participate in the 60th UN Human Rights Council session, I closely observe the different measures surrounding this session due to the serious financial deficit faced by the Human Rights Council.

 8 September – 8 October 2025

 Geneva – Palais des Nations

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is facing a major financial shortfall of around 60 million USD (mid-2025).

As a result, the Council was asked to cut operational costs.
The solution was to shorten the session by about 10%.

What has been reduced?

Official session days – shortened by a few days.
Side events – NGOs may now organize only one side event for one hour.
Interactive dialogues – speaking time reduced for states and NGOs to save costs (interpreters, rooms, staff).

Key Topics at HRC60

Environment / toxic waste
The human right to water and sanitation
Climate justice and just transition
Indigenous Peoples’ rights
The right to development
Other issues: elderly persons, freedom of association, drug policies, death penalty.

It is indeed striking: the 60th session with a 60 million dollar deficit.

 Dr. Mukhlif Abdulsamad