Permanent Mission of Hungary to the UN and WTO, Geneva

Our PR and DPR recently hosted a group of students from the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena and one from the Ludovika University of Public Service in Budapest. Both groups visited our Mission to get a behind-the-scenes look at the multilateral diplomatic world of Geneva. It is always a pleasure to share our experience with the diplomats of the future. Thank you all for your visits!

On the margins of HRC61, the Permanent Mission of Hungary 🇭🇺 hosted a side event titled "Standing with Persecuted Christians – Defending the Faith and Christian Values" ✝️🕊️, co-sponsored by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See and the Permanent Delegation of the Sovereign Order of Malta, as well as ADF International and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Moderated by H.E. Ambassador Zsófia Havasi, the event highlighted that Christians remain the most persecuted religious community in the world today. The panel discussion focused on the protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) as a fundamental human right, countering discrimination, and the importance of practical humanitarian assistance, including the Hungary Helps Program. 🤝
This initiative continues to be of utmost importance to ensure that persecuted communities do not stand alone.

Thank you for the fruitful exchange on this important issue to our esteemed panelists:
🔹 Ms. Nazila Ghanea (UN Special Rapporteur)
🔹 H.E. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero (Holy See)
🔹 H.E. Ambassador Marie-Thérèse Pictet-Althann (Sovereign Order of Malta)
🔹 Ms. Anja Tang (OIDAC Europe)
🔹 Mr. Márk Aurél Érszegi (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary)

Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right – protecting it is our shared responsibility! 🙏🌍

Amb. Zsófia Havasi held constructive discussion with Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), to exchange views on the future of the organization.

The talks focused on:
● the implications of the UN80 process,
● Hungary’s priorities within the ongoing reform efforts, and
● the Executive Secretary’s vision for the organization’s future.

Both sides underlined that a comprehensive and timely reform is essential.

Hungary remains committed to contributing actively to a strong and effective UNECE. 🤝🌍