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General Assembly Elects 18 Members to Human Rights Council for 2025-2027 Term

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2 years ago

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  • Hears Remaining Explanations of Vote on Antimicrobial Resistance Political Declaration

  • Afghanistan’s Speaker Upset That Resolution Adopted on Scale of Assessments Fails to Reinstate His Country’s Voting Rights under Article 19 of UN Charter

The General Assembly today elected 18 members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term, adopted a resolution on matters regarding the assessment scale for distributing the costs of the United Nations’ expenses and concluded its debate on last month’s high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance.

In the first order of business, Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand were elected to the Council — an intergovernmental body within the UN system consisting of 47 States which is responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.

The incoming members were elected by a secret ballot. They will serve three-year terms beginning on 1 January 2025, replacing members whose terms of office are set to expire on 31 December 2024.

The outgoing members included Argentina, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Finland, Gambia, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Somalia, United Arab Emirates and the United States.  All were eligible for immediate re-election except those members who have served two consecutive terms — Argentina, Cameroon, Eritrea, India and Somalia.

The following States will continue to be members of the Council:  Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Maldives, Morocco, Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, Sudan and Viet Nam.

Scale of Assessments for Apportioning UN Expenses:  Requests under Article 19 of UN Charter 

After the elections, the Assembly adopted a draft resolution titled “Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations:  requests under Article 19 of the Charter”, contained in the report of its Fifth Committee (Administrative & Budgetary) (document A/79/390).

By its terms, the Assembly — urging all Member States requesting exemption under Article 19 of the UN Charter to submit as much information as needed in support of their requests — also agreed that the failure of Sao Tome and Principe and Somalia to pay the full minimum amount necessary to avoid the application of Article 19 was due to conditions beyond their control.

Further, it decided that Sao Tome and Principe and Somalia shall be permitted to vote in the General Assembly until the end of its seventy-ninth session.

Afghanistan’s representative, speaking afterwards, expressed “vigorous disapproval and deep disappointment” over the Assembly’s failure to reinstate his delegation’s right to vote and grant it an exemption under Article 19, which, he said, is “both deeply concerning and disheartening for my country”.  “Despite the compelling justifications we have provided, grounded in the harsh realities faced by Afghanistan, our pleas have unfortunately been disregarded,” he stressed.

Afghanistan is currently enduring extraordinary political, social and economic challenges that “severely limit our capacity” to meet these obligations, he went on to say.  “These challenges largely stem from the Taliban’s failure and unwillingness to address the ongoing crisis,” he added.  “Our situation is not one of neglect or unwillingness; rather, it is linked to circumstances beyond our control,” he said.  Noting that Article 19 of the Charter acknowledges such cases and provides for exemptions, he said:  “This was the first time we requested a waiver under Article 19 with valid justifications, and it’s disappointing that it was not given proper considerations due to political biases from a few committee members.”

Political Declaration of High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance

Concluding the debate which commenced on Monday (See Press Release GA/12642) under its agenda item on “Global health and foreign policy”, the Assembly heard explanations of votes on the resolution titled “Political declaration of the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance” (document A/79/L.5).  Several speakers highlighted the importance of technology transfer in their collaboration towards this phenomenon, emphasizing the need for voluntary and mutually agreed action.  They also called for adequate financing for developing countries and an elimination of unilateral coercive measures by certain developed countries.

The representative of Hungary, speaking for the European Union, in its capacity as observer, said the regional bloc has engaged collaboratively on this phenomenon through the ONE HEALTH Network and underscores the importance of technological transfer on voluntary and mutually agreed terms.  Because the UN and its Member States do not endorse technology transfer that contravenes fundamental principles of intellectual property and contract law, “the process must be conducted in a way that respects the interest of all parties, fostering a climate of progress and creativity,” she noted.

Other speakers echoed this sentiment.  Describing the Declaration as “the blueprint for our action to achieve a future in which all countries, regardless of their level of income, can protect the health of their citizens in the face of this threat”, Peru’s delegate appealed to Member States to redouble efforts in fighting “this global public health crisis”, adding that “all countries must urgently develop their own effective strategies tailored to their local realities to tackle this threat.”

Switzerland’s representative pointed out that, despite the importance of public–private partnerships in the development of new antimicrobials and access to them, the approach and procedures employed during the negotiations preceding the Declaration “were not optimal” and did not consider the perspectives of all delegations.  She hoped it would be improved in the future, adding that, because “technology transfer is only possible if the owner of a technology decides to agree on such a transfer and accept the conditions attached to it”, Switzerland would have preferred to have such explicit reference in the document.

Uganda’s delegate, for her part, and speaking for the Group of 77 and China, said while capacity-building and technology transfer are “vital for enabling local production of antimicrobial medicines”, the international community must recognize the “damaging effect” of unilateral coercive measures on developing countries’ ability to combat the resistance.  This weakens health systems and further compounds their already difficult situations, she noted.  These measures should therefore be eliminated.

Supporting this claim was Iran’s speaker, who said that the Declaration’s text did not address the detrimental effects of these measures and that the risks associated with improper antimicrobial use is heightened when people’s access to medicines, vaccines and medical equipment is cut off.  “Nothing could ever justify such horrific measures against people,” he lamented.

He also observed that the UN’s fundamental principle of respecting the views and priorities of Member States was “frequently disregarded” during the negotiations as “priorities of a few were accommodated at the expense of many developing Member States”.  As such, the document is “an unbalanced text that ignores concerns and priories of a large number of countries by one-sidedness, deliberate obscurity and ignorance, which unfortunately prevailed over neutrality, transparency, and inclusiveness”.  Iran is therefore not committed to parts of the document that contradict its national laws and regulations, he affirmed.

Other speakers raised other concerns about the text.  For the United Kingdom’s delegation, there should have been stronger and more specific funding in paragraphs 37 and 38 for antimicrobial resistance, “which we know is critical to meeting our target to reduce AMR deaths by 10 per cent”.  Its speaker also described as a “missed opportunity” the absence of a time-bound commitment for phasing out medically important antimicrobials for growth promotion in animal agriculture.

The delegate of the United States, attempting to address a foreign policy issue for his Government, called on the UN to respect independent mandates of other processes and institutions, including trade negotiations, and not comment on decisions and actions in other fora, including the World Trade Organization.  “While the United Nations and the WTO share some common interests, they have different roles, rules and membership,” he said, further disassociating from the language “Acknowledging the need to remove trade barriers” in paragraph 82.

Informing Member States that the Russian Federation’s attacks against her country have inflicted “devastating damage” on its healthcare infrastructure, with over 1,800 health facilities damaged and 47 civilian healthcare workers killed, the representative of Ukraine said hospitals now face the challenge of maintaining infection prevention and control “crucial in preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance”.  Moscow’s actions have not only compromised Ukraine’s public health efforts but also disrupted access to essential medicines, creating conditions that may exacerbate the spread of such resistance within the region.  She observed that “to suggest that Russia is a key contributor to global health while it continues destabilizing actions presents a false and harmful narrative”, adding that “our response to AMR must be based on facts and a shared understanding of the real challenges we face”.

The representative of the Russian Federation, exercising the right of reply, recalled how, on 26 September, the Ukrainian delegation used the high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance “exclusively for the purpose of spreading their lies”.  Ukraine’s actions today do nothing but undermine the pooling of global efforts geared towards preventing the spread of this resistance.  It is at odds with the principles of strengthening and enhancing cooperation in this sphere, he said.

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Houston

Fifty and Fabulous: Chief Oby Marcel Celebrates a Golden Milestone in Houston

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3 weeks ago

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October 13, 2026

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Houston philanthropist and community leader reflects on five decades of faith, family, resilience and service as friends and well-wishers prepare for her grand golden jubilee celebration on October 31, 2026.

HOUSTON, TEXAS — Turning 50 represents far more than reaching a milestone in age. It is a celebration of maturity, accumulated wisdom, personal accomplishments and the extraordinary journey through life’s challenges and triumphs. For many, the golden jubilee offers an opportunity to reflect on meaningful relationships, embrace renewed purpose and look toward the future with gratitude and confidence.

For Houston-based philanthropist and community leader Chief Oby Marcel, that milestone has arrived with excitement, thanksgiving and an unmistakable sense of fulfillment.

Chief Oby Marcel: This milestone has arrived with excitement, thanksgiving and an unmistakable sense of fulfillment.

All roads will lead to the Trinity Event Center, 8402 Howell Sugarland Road, Houston, Texas, on Saturday, October 31, 2026, when Chief Oby Marcel hosts a prestigious golden jubilee celebration beginning at 7 p.m. The anticipated all-formal gathering will bring together family members, friends, community leaders, associates and well-wishers to celebrate a woman whose life reflects a commitment to family, cultural identity, community engagement and service.

Speaking enthusiastically about her approaching birthday, Chief Oby Marcel described the occasion as a deeply personal celebration of divine grace and the experiences that have shaped her journey.

“Wow! I can hardly believe I’m stepping into the radiant glow of 50! My heart is dancing with joy, overflowing with excitement, and wrapped in deep gratitude,” she declared.

“Fifty beautiful years of God’s grace, unfailing love, abundant blessings, renewed strength, and memories that shimmer like precious jewels. Through every storm and sunrise, every challenge and triumph, every tear and laughter-filled moment, God has remained faithful.”

Beyond the birthday festivities, Chief Oby Marcel’s golden jubilee highlights her active participation in several cultural, religious and philanthropic organizations within Houston’s Nigerian community.

She is a prominent member of Gold Club International, where she holds the distinction of Lady Gold and serves as Admission Chairlady. She also serves as Treasurer of Prestige International and Assistant Financial Secretary of CWO Aquinas. Her community involvement extends to First Umuokpu Anambra USA, the Aguleri-Otu cabinet and the Omambala Cultural Association in Houston. Through these affiliations, Petersen maintains connections with organizations dedicated to cultural preservation, fellowship, mutual support and community development.

As a mother, philanthropist and community leader, she represents a generation of Nigerian women in the diaspora who balance family responsibilities with active participation in organizations that strengthen cultural bonds and promote collective progress.

The Young Shall Grow: From the Innocence of Yesterday to the Golden Glory of Today — 50 Years of Grace, Beauty, and Becoming.

The significance of turning 50 reaches beyond organizational achievements or public recognition. It represents an opportunity to embrace life with greater wisdom, confidence and optimism. According to Chief Oby Marcel, “I’m not simply turning 50; I’m crossing the threshold into a dazzling new chapter filled with wisdom, confidence, happiness, purpose, and endless possibilities.”

“I’m proud of the woman I’ve become, grateful for every mile God has carried me, and thrilled by the beautiful horizons unfolding before me.” Her enthusiasm captures the spirit of the forthcoming celebration: an occasion dedicated not merely to marking five decades but to honoring a journey defined by resilience, gratitude and enduring faith.

As preparations continue for the October 31 festivities, Chief Oby Marcel is approaching her golden milestone with a message of renewed hope and determination. “At 50, I’m not getting older; I’m blooming brighter, standing stronger, growing wiser, and becoming even more fabulous!”

And with that declaration, the celebrant offers a fitting conclusion to her golden jubilee reflections: “Cheers to my golden jubilee! My best years are still ahead of me!”

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Community

People’s Club Sugar Land Is Growing — Grand Patron Mbachu Explains Why

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1 month ago

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September 29, 2026

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…Credits principled leadership, philanthropy, and a renewed commitment to “Unity, Love and Service” for the historic branch’s growing membership and influence.

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS — The recent growth and renewed visibility of the Sugar Land People’s Club of Nigeria International did not happen by accident. According to the branch’s Grand Patron, Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu, its resurgence is rooted in something far more enduring than ceremonies, titles, or social gatherings: a commitment to putting the organization’s guiding principles into practice.

In an interview reflecting on the branch’s recent progress, Mbachu said the philosophy of “Unity, Love, and Service” remains central to the People’s Club’s identity and is increasingly defining the direction of its Sugar Land branch.

“Unity means recognizing that our individual differences must never become greater than the institution that brings us together,” Mbachu said. “Love means genuinely caring about one another—not only when we celebrate, but when members and their families face difficult moments. Service is where those values become action. If we cannot translate fellowship into service to humanity, then we have missed the purpose of the organization.”

Grand Patron, Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu.

People’s Club of Nigeria International traces its origins to Nigeria in 1971 and has since expanded through branches in Nigeria and internationally. Sugar Land occupies a distinctive place in that history as the organization’s First International Branch.

Mbachu said that legacy carries responsibility.

“People’s Club is not simply a social club where people gather, celebrate, and go home,” he said. “At its core, it is a philanthropic institution committed to community welfare. Our fellowship must have a human purpose. We must be able to look beyond ourselves, identify needs within our communities, and respond with compassion, resources, and action.”

He pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as one example of that philosophy at work.

“I will never forget the COVID period, when fear and uncertainty had disrupted virtually every aspect of life,” Mbachu recalled. “Members of our Sugar Land branch stepped forward to distribute food to families struggling through that crisis. People were concerned about their own safety, yet our members understood that service was most meaningful when the community needed us most. That experience demonstrated what the People’s Club should represent.”

The branch has recently experienced renewed momentum in membership. Following its successful 2026 biannual induction, 16 new members were formally admitted, while additional community members have continued to express interest in joining.

Mbachu attributes that growth partly to greater organizational visibility, active programming, and an environment where prospective members can see fellowship and community engagement working together.

He particularly credited Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, Group Chairman of SLPCNI, and his executive team with helping reposition the branch.

“Professor Ulasi and his team deserve tremendous credit,” Mbachu said. “Leadership requires consistency, patience, and the ability to bring different personalities together around a common objective. The progress we are witnessing reflects considerable work behind the scenes; organizing members, strengthening participation, and ensuring that the branch continues moving forward.”

Mbachu also acknowledged PCNI National President Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke, whose leadership he said has contributed to stronger relationships across the organization.

“The National President has emphasized peace, reconciliation, and mutual respect among branches,” he said. “An international organization cannot prosper when its branches operate in unnecessary conflict. His efforts to promote understanding, dialogue, and unity across the People’s Club family have contributed significantly to the stability and renewed enthusiasm we are experiencing.”

For Mbachu, however, growth cannot simply be measured by numbers. The quality and commitment of those joining remain equally important.

“Our doors are open to reputable men and women who believe in what People’s Club represents and are prepared to contribute positively,” he said. “We welcome people who value integrity, fellowship, community service, and mutual respect. Membership should never be about what title you receive; it should be about what value you bring.”

That distinction, Mbachu argues, will determine whether the current momentum becomes lasting institutional progress.

For Sugar Land People’s Club, the formula he offers is remarkably straightforward: protect unity, practice love and make service visible. “When those three principles are genuinely lived,” Mbachu said, “the organization does not have to advertise its greatness. The community will see it.”

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Houston

Membership Surge Continues as Dr. Nkem Ugwu Joins People’s Club

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1 month ago

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September 20, 2026

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Following a successful induction ceremony, the First International Branch continues to attract new members drawn to its tradition of friendship, service, culture, and community

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS — The Sugar Land People’s Club of Nigeria International (SLPCNI) is continuing its membership expansion following its recently concluded induction ceremony, with Dr. Nkem Ugwu becoming one of the latest community members to join the organization.

Ugwu, a Sugar Land resident originally from Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria, is an entrepreneur and mother of three sons, a mother-in-law, and a grandmother. She describes service to others, family, and community engagement as important parts of her personal and professional life.

Grand Patron Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu addressing the September Conference of the Sugar Land PCNI

Her membership comes on the heels of the branch’s successful bi-annual induction ceremony, during which 16 new members were formally sworn in by PCNI National President Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke. The celebration attracted national leaders, patrons, and members representing branches from across the People’s Club network.

Photo from left: Hon. Chief Sir Michael Okeke; Hon. Anaeto Okakpu “Oranwezuluaku”; Grand Patron Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu; Hon. Dr. Nkem Ugwu ; Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, Group Chairman; Hon. Chief, Sir Basil Mbuba; Hon. Chief Sir Dr. Uche Egbuchuam “Akudo World Wide.”

Ugwu said joining the organization provides an opportunity to develop meaningful relationships while contributing to its mission.

“I am truly excited and honored to join the prestigious People’s Club of Nigeria International, Sugar Land Branch. I look forward to getting to know fellow members, building lasting friendships, and becoming actively involved in this vibrant and welcoming community. I am especially drawn to the Club’s tradition of fellowship, service, and mutual support, and I hope to contribute my experience, energy, and passion for serving others to its continued growth.”

Grand Patron Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu welcomed Ugwu, describing continued interest in membership as encouraging for the historic First International Branch.

Membership Chairperson Hon. Chief Udoji Achebe and Hon. Ndidi Chidume

“When people of accomplishment and community spirit continue to identify with our organization, it tells us that the values upon which People’s Club was built remain relevant. We welcome Dr. Ugwu and look forward to the experience and fellowship she brings to our family.”

Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, Group Chairman, said the branch’s recent induction helped showcase an organization that continues to combine Nigerian cultural heritage with community engagement in Houston.

“Our successful induction created tremendous enthusiasm, but our focus goes beyond ceremonies. We are building a stronger organization rooted in friendship, responsibility and service. Dr. Ugwu’s decision to join reflects that continuing momentum.”

One of the meeting hosts, Hon. Professor Keih George, introduces the co-meeting hosts.

Membership Chairperson Hon. Chief Udoji Achebe said the branch remains interested in individuals prepared to participate actively in its programs and fellowship.

“Membership is about belonging, but it is equally about participation and contribution. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Ugwu and other prospective members who share the principles and aspirations of People’s Club.”

For SLPCNI, the growing interest following its induction represents another chapter in the evolution of a branch with a special place in the organization’s history.

And for Ugwu, it marks the beginning of a new journey—one centered on friendship, community, and service.

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