The 53rd Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) commenced today at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The session will run for two weeks and conclude on 13 November 2026.
During this period, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s UPR Working Group will examine the human rights records of fourteen States: Antigua and Barbuda, Eswatini, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Suriname, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Republic of Tanzania, and United States of America.
In line with the Government’s key policies and priorities, the Maldives delegation will also actively participate in the session and provide constructive recommendations to all the States under review.
The UPR Working Group convenes three sessions annually. The Fourth Cycle of the UPR began in November 2022 and will conclude in 2027. The UPR is a State-driven process that involves a comprehensive review of the human rights situation in all UN Member States.
This mechanism offers each State the opportunity to report on progress made in fulfilling its human rights obligations and commitments, while also allowing peer Member States to provide constructive recommendations for further improvement.
The Maldives delegation to the 53rd Session is led by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Salma Rasheed. The delegation also includes Counsellor Adam Hamid, Counsellor Uza. Aminath Shifaya Ibrahim, and Second Secretary Aishath Rayahyn from the Permanent Mission.