Thinking about the future of the UPR
Insights from the first Geneva Policy Dialogue focusing on the UPR
On 19 November 2025, UPR Info organised in Geneva the first Policy Dialogue dedicated to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), hosted by the Permanent Mission of Thailand. The event brought together 60 participants, representing States, three United Nations (UN) agencies, four civil society organisations (CSOs), and two international organisations. It was co-organised by UPR Info, the Permanent Missions of Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand, with the support of the Permanent Mission of Chile, the Kingdom of Morocco and Norway, as well as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
As the UPR approaches the conclusion of its fourth cycle, the event constituted a timely opportunity to reflect on its functioning, assess lessons learned, and explore ways to further advance the promotion and protection of human rights on the ground.
While all stakeholders agreed that the UPR remains a cornerstone of the UN human rights system, exchanges also highlighted areas where improvements could enhance its effectiveness. Among the ideas discussed were non-cooperation by some States, which can affect the integrity and continuity of the process; potential procedural and modalities adjustments to strengthen dialogue and follow-up; and how to make a better use of adoption sessions. Participants also underlined the importance of enhancing the UPR’s impact beyond Geneva through national implementation mechanisms, multi-stakeholder engagement, as well as tools and systems to track progress. Finally, the event emphasised that inclusive participation of all UPR stakeholders, reflecting a whole-of-society approach, is essential to the mechanism’s success, while also providing a space to share good practices.
For a detailed overview of the exchanges at the Policy dialogue and key insights, the full summary is available here.
Thinking about the future of the UPR
The Policy Dialogue discussions provided a valuable starting point for reflecting on the future of the UPR. In this context, to support ongoing discussions, UPR Info has identified several elements that could further strengthen the effectiveness of the mechanism in its fifth cycle. These include making a better use of adoption sessions under item 6 as moments of accountability, addressing challenges related to non-cooperation, considering the use of written recommendations, and fostering collaboration with development and humanitarian actors through a cross-pillar approach to support implementation.
Elevating the Adoption of UPR Outcomes under Item 6 as a Moment of Accountability and Commitment
Among our reflections regarding the use of the adoption of UPR outcomes under item 6, we consider that these sessions should be approached as a forward-looking moment focused on implementation. Currently, this stage is underutilised: States under Review frequently reiterate positions already expressed, while recommending States tend to limit their interventions to procedural remarks or general congratulations. From UPR Info’s perspective, this is largely because adoptions are perceived as the conclusion of the review rather than the beginning of the implementation phase. States under Review could use this stage to outline priorities, coordination mechanisms, timelines and planned engagement with national stakeholders. Recommending States could seize the opportunity to provide constructive follow-up, including targeted questions and offers of technical or financial support. Such an approach would reinforce accountability, encourage ownership at the national level, and strengthen the cooperative nature of the UPR.
In the same vein, during the adoption of UPR outcomes at the Human Rights Council (HRC), CSOs wit ECOSOC accreditation and A-status National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) can contribute by delivering statements that strengthen transparency and accountability. Building on their monitoring and engagement with rights-holders, they provide context-specific insights that inform inclusive, human rights– and gender-responsive implementation. In the implementation phase, they play a critical role to support awareness-raising and broader national ownership of recommendations.
Non-Cooperation: Ensuring Rights, Obligations, and the Integrity of the UPR
In 2025, some cases of non-cooperation emerged, which were highlighted during the Policy Dialogue as a new challenge leaving uncertainty about the procedures to follow. UPR Info considers that participation in the mechanism entails both rights and obligations and should not be exercised selectively. Where a State has not voluntarily concluded its review as a State under review, its participation in other UPR-related activities, including adoption sessions under item 6 or interactive dialogues, should be limited until its review is duly completed. At the same time, non-cooperation or participation by a State must not restrict the ability of civil society or UN actors to submit information, ensuring continued transparency and the effective functioning of the mechanism. Upholding these principles safeguards the universality, credibility, and collaborative framework of the UPR.
Written Recommendations: A Promising Option Under Certain Conditions
One proposal that has consistently emerged – which was again raised during the recent policy dialogue – is the possibility for States to submit recommendations in writing. UPR Info considers that the introduction of written recommendations could represent a constructive innovation for the mechanism, provided that appropriate safeguards are in place to preserve the interactive nature of the Review. UPR Info has already begun reflecting on how this could be implemented in practice, through a digital platform. Such a platform should be transparent, meaning that uploaded recommendations should be accessible both to the State under Review and to the recommending States. This transparency could facilitate the preparation and participation of the State under review, thereby strengthening the interactive dialogue in the room. It could also facilitate the clustering of recommendations by allowing recommending States to indicate their support for existing ones. Beyond these aspects, UPR Info believes the platform should include an innovative feature to strengthen cooperation, allowing recommending States to indicate whether they can offer technical or financial assistance in support of their recommendations.
Development and Humanitarian Actors: Strengthening UPR Implementation through a Cross-Pillar Approach
Finally, UPR Info calls for strengthening the role of development and humanitarian actors in enhancing UPR implementation through a more systematic cross-pillar approach. In our view, these actors could use accepted UPR recommendations as a framework for programming, policy dialogue, and for the allocation of development aid. Aligning development and humanitarian strategies with UPR recommendations can ensure greater coherence across the UN pillars, while improving coordination between diplomatic engagement and operational action. In a context of financial constraints affecting both the UN system and civil society, such an approach would also help maximise the impact of limited resources and support more targeted and effective interventions. Efforts to raise awareness among development and humanitarian actors of the operational value of UPR recommendations remain essential to fully realise this potential.
UN Country Teams and bilateral development agencies can play a key supporting role by providing technical assistance through the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, aligning implementation with national development priorities and hence ensuring continuity from adoption to implementation.
For the full position of UPR Info ahead of the fifth UPR cycle, the complete policy paper is available here.