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

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, will attend the High Level Segment of the 61st Session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva today (24 February).

Minister Richmond will deliver an address to the Human Rights Council and meet with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. He will also speak at the Conference on Disarmament and meet with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, and Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union, Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Richmond said: “At a time when others are withdrawing, Ireland is stepping forward and reaffirming our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, disarmament and non-proliferation. We stand firm in our commitment to a rules-based, UN-led, multilateral order, particularly in the context of our campaign for membership of the Human Rights Council for 2027 to 2029.

“In my address to the Human Rights Council, I will outline our core policy priorities for the campaign, including the promotion and protection of civil society space; the right to food; gender equality and rights of women and girls; the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons; and the safeguarding of the rights of persons with disabilities in conflict.

“During my intervention at the Conference on Disarmament, I will call for renewed political will to make progress on nuclear disarmament in the face of an international regime under intense strain, eroding arms control mechanisms, and regional proliferation crises. I will also reiterate Ireland’s continued commitment to multilateralism and disarmament to build a more secure world.”

During his visit to Geneva, Minister Richmond will meet with a number of non-governmental organisations awarded funding under the 2026 Civil Society Fund. The grants provided under the Civil Society Fund will deliver a wide range of human rights-related development projects worldwide. The funding will promote the rights, inclusion and participation of vulnerable groups, including people living with disabilities; strengthen health systems; and help people build sustainable livelihoods.

The Minister said: “Civil society organisations play a vital role in delivering essential services and support to the most vulnerable. Ireland’s partnerships recognise and support this positive change, including respect for fundamental rights, for communities worldwide.”

• 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 Ireland campaigns 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.
• The Civil Society Fund is the Department’s main development project funding scheme. It primarily supports Irish NGOs to carry out development projects overseas of up to five years duration. A small number of international NGOs working on human rights are also invited to apply. The maximum available grant is €800,000 per annum.

ENDS

Press Office

23 February 2026