GENEVA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday urged member states to step up their support to fund "the most ambitious program of work ever drawn" by her office including the right to development.
Bachelet presented an appeal for 321.5 million U.S. dollars and stressed that sustainable peace, security, and development would only be achieved in an "era of great turbulence" if member countries invest in human rights.
Speaking to delegates in Geneva, she described her office as "a vital tool for greater prevention, and better protection around the world."
"Human rights work is prevention work. It prevents grievances, conflicts, inequalities, and suffering and discrimination of all kinds," said Bachelet.
By assisting all member states in "upholding civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the right to development", the office brings solutions to the many challenges the world faces, including climate change, infectious disease, artificial intelligence and the future of industries, urbanism, and the rights of peasants and people in rural areas.
The United Nations said Wednesday it would hold the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group from Jan. 21 to Feb. 1.
During the period, the next group of 14 countries are scheduled to have their human rights records examined under this mechanism, namely New Zealand, Afghanistan, Chile, Vietnam, Uruguay, Yemen, Vanuatu, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Comoros, Slovakia, Eritrea, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic and Cambodia.
High-level delegations representing the 14 countries are scheduled to come before the Working Group, which comprises the entire membership of the 47-member Human Rights Council, and other countries wishing to take part.
They countries are expected to show efforts made in fulfilling human rights obligations and commitments, particularly since the last UPR review.
