Imagine. Dialogue. Act: the new global alliance for human rights
UPR Info welcomes the launch of the Global Alliance for Human Rights, convened by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in Geneva on 11 June 2026.
Launched ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2028, the Alliance calls on all actors to imagine, dialogue and act for human rights. At a time of polarization, shrinking civic space, inequality and attacks on human dignity, this message is both timely and urgent: human rights need renewed cooperation, broader participation and concrete action.
During the launch, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk underlined the importance of renewing hope in a difficult global context, stating that “we need to bring hope to the vast majorities of people around the world.” He described the Global Alliance as “a an umbrella, it’s a platform” to connect existing initiatives, strengthen momentum and bring together actors committed to advancing human rights.
For UPR Info, this vision is closely connected to the promise of the Universal Periodic Review: a universal mechanism that brings States, human rights defenders, national human rights institutions, NGO, local and regional actors, and communities into dialogue around one shared objective — turning human rights commitments into reality.
How UPR Info contributes to the global alliance’s vision
Imagine
To imagine the future of human rights, we need to invest in those who will shape it. UPR Info places strong emphasis on human rights education, especially for young people, students and emerging practitioners.
Through partnerships with the UPR Academic Network and universities including Birmingham and Stirling, UPR Info also works to connect academic research with practice. In 2026, UPR Info will support the replication in Bangladesh of the UPR Model, a simulation of the UPR developed by the University of Padua, helping students engage directly with the UPR process and its practical relevance.
Dialogue
The UPR is, by nature, a space for exchange. UPR Info helps make this process more accessible, inclusive and constructive by bringing together States, civil society, national human rights institutions, local and regional actors, and communities around shared human rights priorities.
Through its Pre-sessions and other dialogue spaces, UPR Info creates opportunities for civil society organizations and national human rights institutions to engage directly with recommending States ahead of each review. These exchanges help ensure that recommendations are informed by realities on the ground.
UPR Info also fosters cross-regional learning by connecting actors from different countries to share experiences and identify good practices for UPR engagement and implementation
Act
The Global Alliance is not only a call to reflect. It is a call to act. This is where the UPR can make a distinctive contribution.
Each UPR review produces recommendations that can serve as a roadmap for reform, advocacy, monitoring and cooperation. Through training, tools, guidance and the sharing of good practices, UPR Info supports CSOs, NHRIs, local actors and other stakeholders to engage effectively with the UPR before, during and after each review to support the implementation of UPR recommendations at the local level.
UPR Info looks forward to contributing to the objectives of the Global Alliance by continuing to strengthen local implementation, support human rights education, connect research with practice, and empower all actors to use the UPR as a tool for the advancement of human rights.