On June 22, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) approved without a vote a draft resolution entitled The 70^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 25^th Anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, which was submitted by the Russian delegation. The draft's co-authors comprise more than 120 UN member states and observer states, including the CIS and BRICS countries, the African and Arab groups, and a number of European, North American, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin American countries.

The Russian initiative stipulates a series of commemorative events at the UN. These include a discussion devoted to the declarations' anniversaries during a high-level segment of the 37^th UNHRC session. The document calls on the UN General Assembly to hold a special ceremonial meeting. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is also recommended to take an active part in the ceremonies.

The fact that the Russian draft resolution was approved by consensus with a record number of states from all regional groups as its co-authors attests to the recognition by the international community of the truly unifying role of Russia in advancing constructive and depoliticised cooperation to promote and protect human rights and basic freedoms.

We proceed from the assumption that the resolution will help improve efforts by governments to promote and protect human rights and strengthen equal and mutually respectful cooperation in international formats and educational activities. We hope that all parties concerned, including states, international organisations, civil society and expert community will actively engage in the anniversary ceremonies.

Russia is determined, both at the UNHRC and other relevant UN formats, to push forward a unifying and depoliticised agenda and step up work to create a positive and constructive atmosphere of dialogue and mutual understanding. The adoption of the resolution The 70^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 25^th Anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action is clear proof of that.