Press release – UPR Info General Assembly and election of new President of the Executive Board

On 7 December 2022, UPR Info held its General Assembly in Geneva. The meeting was chaired by Mona M’Bikay, Executive Director of UPR Info, and was attended by 20 members, including UPR Info’s partners, board members, and staff members.

The members of the General Assembly were brought together in-person and online to vote on several decisions regarding organizational governance, including the election of the new President of the Executive Board.

At the opening of the meeting, Mona M’Bikay noted that “2022 has been a fruitful year for UPR Info in implementing its programmatic activities and expanding its outreach,” and staff provided highlights of UPR Info’s work in 2022. The return to in-person activities, including at the Pre-sessions in Geneva, engagement with a larger variety of stakeholders, including youth and journalists, and an increased  request for technical support from States were just a few examples of the positive results achieved by the organization this year.

The members of the General Assembly applauded UPR Info’s work, recognizing the organization’s efforts to provide useful and accurate information on the Universal Periodic Review through the updated database of UPR recommendations and the new website.

During the General Assembly, Catherine Mbengue was unanimously elected as UPR Info’s new President starting in January 2023. Currently a UPR Info board member, Catherine is an accomplished human rights professional with over 35 years’ experience in international development cooperation. She has previously worked for the United Nations Children’s Fund and ECPAT International, and has held leadership positions in development, humanitarian contexts in Africa, America, Europe and South Asia.  Catherine looks forward to working closely with UPR Info to strengthen the organization’s development and capacity to provide stakeholder support.

The General Assembly also voted and approved the nomination of the new Treasurer, Patrick Wall, and the new audit company that will oversee the assessment of the organization’s financial reports in 2022.

As of 2023, UPR Info staff members will have the possibility to be a part of the General Assembly as voting members. Mona M’Bikay concluded the General Assembly by requesting the attendants to take part in a survey that will be circulated in the upcoming days to collect input, feedback, and suggestions to inform UPR Info’s new strategic plan.

The next session of the General Assembly focusing on the organization’s strategic direction will take place in mid-January 2023.