Iceland elected as member of United Nations Human Rights Council

Iceland was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council today at the UN General Assembly in New York. Nineteen countries put forward their candidatures for eighteen available seats on the Council for a three-year term from 2025 to 2027. Iceland's candidature is supported by all Nordic States. 

“We are grateful for the broad support we received in today's election. Serving on the Human Rights Council is a great responsibly that Iceland takes seriously,” says Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Iceland received 174 out of 183 votes in the election. 

Iceland has previously been a Member of the Council for half a term in 2018-2019, filling the seat vacated by the United States.

“The international community is facing significant challenges with human rights increasingly under threat in too many places. Our main priority for our upcoming term on the Council will be working together with other states to promote and protect human rights for all. We will focus especially on gender equality, children’s rights and LGBTQI+ rights,” said Thórdís Kolbrún.

The Human Rights Council consists of 47 countries, based in Geneva. Of these, seven represent the group of Western European and other states (WEOG), thirteen are from Africa, thirteen from the Asia-Pacific region, eight from Latin American and Caribbean countries, and six from Eastern European countries. 

Iceland has published its voluntary pledges and commitments for its tenure on the Council. Iceland’s candidacy brochure can be found here.