The United Nations Human Rights Council held its organizational meeting for its 63rd session on 24 August 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, as part of preparations for the regular session scheduled to take place from 7 September to 9 October 2026.

The meeting represented an important step in preparing for the work of the upcoming session, including its programme of work, interactive dialogues, discussions, and human rights issues to be addressed by the Council.

The session’s agenda includes a wide range of issues, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the right to development, economic, social and cultural rights, inequality, justice and reparation, and enforced disappearances, as well as human rights situations in Myanmar, Afghanistan and Sudan.

Environmental and human rights issues will also receive significant attention, particularly hazardous chemicals and waste, the rights to water and sanitation, climate finance, and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

The session takes place against the backdrop of growing challenges facing the international human rights system, including the impact of the United Nations’ liquidity and financial resource crisis on the implementation of certain activities and mandates carried out by the Human Rights Council and its Office.

The organizational meeting marks a preparatory step towards a session expected to address a number of key issues related to the protection and promotion of human rights at the international level.