GENEVA (Dispatches) – Iran has chaired the United Nations Human Rights Council 2023 Social Forum for the first time.
Iran’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva Ali Bahreini was named the chair of the two-day meeting following a submission from the Asia-Pacific group.
More than 60 participants, including high-ranking officials, diplomats and non-governmental organizations, held expert meetings and discussed issues, including the role of science, technology and innovation in the promotion of human rights, especially after the coronovirus pandemic.
Back in May, Iran was appointed by the president of the UN Human Rights Council.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Iran’s appointment was a matter of regional rotation, “in consistency with established UN procedures.”
The two-day meeting called the “social forum” is an annual meeting that aims to improve dialogue between governments and civil society groups, with this year’s theme devoted to technology and human rights.
One of the key goals of the forum is to promote social cohesion based on the principles of social justice, equity and solidarity as well as addressing the social dimension and challenges of the ongoing globalization process.
In an apparent swipe at Western sanctions on Iran, Bahreini opened the session by referring to “colonial policies” that he said deprive countries of revenues and hinder technology transfers and knowledge sharing. Several countries spoke at the session including China, Cuba and Venezuela.