SIDE EVENT: PANEL DISCUSSION ON PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY AND HUMAN RIGHTS: STRENGTHENING RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ON THE MARGINS OF THE 61ST REGULAR SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (HRC61)
On 12 March 2026, Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, together with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan, organised a side event titled “Public Service Delivery and Human Rights: Strengthening Resilient and Inclusive Public Service Delivery for Human Rights and Sustainable Development” .This event was held on the margins of the 61st Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC61).
2. The side event aimed to highlight the importance of transparent, accountable and inclusive public service delivery as a key component of good governance and the promotion and protection of human rights. It also served as a platform for the exchange of experiences and good practices on strengthening public institutions, particularly in addressing challenges related to natural disasters, digitalisation and evolving governance demands, while supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
3. The discussion also contributed to ongoing deliberations at the Council relating to the resolution entitled “Public Service Delivery and Human Rights: Strengthening Resilient and Inclusive Public Service Delivery for Human Rights and Sustainable Development,” which is being tabled for the third time at Human Rights Council by Azerbaijan as penholder, with Malaysia serving as a member of the core group, together with Ecuador, Türkiye, Thailand, Kenya and Georgia.
4. The side event was moderated by Ms. María José Veramendi Villa, Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Officer, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) Section, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The panel featured the following speakers:
Opening Remarks
- H.E. Dato' Nadzirah Osman, PR of Malaysia to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva;
Panellists for the Panel Discussion
- DCP Datuk Mazli bin Mazlan, National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Malaysia (via video);
- Mr. Mahammadali Khudaverdiyev, Director General for International Affairs, State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- Mr. Pradeep Wagle, Chief, ESCR Section, OHCHR;
- Ms. Srruthi Lekha Raaja Elango, Head of Platform for Good Governance Initiative, University of Peace;
- Mr. Abhilash Panda, Deputy Chief, Intergovernmental, Interagency Cooperation and Partnerships Branch, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR); and
Closing Remarks
- H.E. Ambassador Galib Israfilov, PR of Azerbaijan to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva.
5. The side event was well attended, with more than 60 participants, including representatives from Member States, international organisations, civil society organisations and academia. Overall, the side event provided a valuable platform for the exchange of experiences and good practices among Member States and stakeholders, while reinforcing the relevance of the Human Rights Council’s ongoing work on public service delivery and human rights.
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