Human Rights Council President
Members of the Human Rights Council elect a representative among themselves to preside over their sessions. The President of the Council serves for one year and carries out the following duties:
- Chairs meetings of the Council;
- Proposes candidates for Special Procedures mandates and expert mechanisms, to be appointed by the Council;
- Appoints experts to serve on investigative bodies; this is done through ad hoc consultations and outreach to different stakeholders to seek highly qualified and impartial candidates;
- Receives and responds to correspondence from Permanent Missions and other actors; and
- Builds awareness and trust in the Human Rights Council through outreach and diplomacy.
The High Commissioner has the principal responsibility for UN-led human rights activities and is very vocal in calling out human rights violations globally.
By contrast, the President is responsible for ensuring that the Council activities are led in a respectful and constructive manner, which requires neutrality.
Current president
Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, President of the 20th cycle
Since 26 November 2025, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro has been the Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations and to the other international organizations in Geneva.
On 8 January 2026, Mr. Suryodipuro was elected President of the Human Rights Council for 2026.
Read his full biography.
Videos
Remarks by Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro upon his election as President of Human Rights Council for its 20th cycle, 8 January 2026