HRC61 General Debate on Item 2

61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council: Item 2 General Debate, statement by Ambassador Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Permanent Representative of Finland on 2nd of March 2026.

Mr. President,

We thank the High Commissioner for his comprehensive update and reaffirm our strong support for the OHCHR. Adequate, predictable funding is vital to the effective operation of the Office and the UN human rights pillar.

Recent events in the Middle East are deeply worrying; we condemn all actions that seek to escalate the conflict in the region and urge for utmost restraint, and call that civilian lives must be protected across the region. We call for respecting international law.

Mr. President,

The world is becoming increasingly complex, marked by rising polarization and conflicts – while at the same time we are confronted with oversimplified answers and growing disinformation.

Rapid technological development, including AI, brings major benefits, yet it increases the need for education, and critical thinking.

Innovation is vital for solving today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, but above all we need skilled, educated individuals capable of analyzing information critically. In a time of accelerating change, the right to education is more important than ever.

Education is central to our shared response to disinformation and today’s global challenges. As false narratives spread faster than facts, the right to education becomes not only a pathway to opportunity, but also a vital safeguard for our democracies and societies.

At the same time, we need strong collaboration for the future.