DILI, 20 february 2026 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s Foreign Minister, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, accompanied President José Ramos-Horta on a working visit to Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in the high-level segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which runs from 23–27 february 2026.
The High-Level Segment brings together heads of state and government, ministers, and representatives from UN member states, the United Nations system and other international organizations, and other stakeholders to engage constructively human rights issues, contributing to the global promotion and protection of human rights, with a focus on concrete actions and international cooperation.
Timor-Leste is leveraging this platform to reinforce its commitment to human rights, engage with international partners, and advocate for enhanced protections across civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. The engagements underscore Timor-Leste’s emphasis on multilateral cooperation and cross-sectoral responses to global human rights challenges.
During the visit, the Timor-Leste delegation will hold bilateral meetings with key international figures, including Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; H.E. Mr Jeenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic; and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.
These engagements aim to strengthen Timor-Leste’s voice on human rights matters and enhance international collaboration in addressing global challenges.
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