Universal Periodic Review of the United States
On November 7, 2025, the United States was scheduled to participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in Geneva. Instead, the U.S. federal government announced its withdrawal from the UPR process in August, marking a break from decades of participation.
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We join many others who have raised concerns that this withdrawal will undermine the progression of human rights in the United States and around the world.
Check out materials below to learn more about how we've engaged with the fourth cycle review process
Right to Food Briefings
These briefings are based on our submission to the Universal Periodic Review process in 2025. They are designed to be used by advocates working to advance the right to food at all levels - in towns, cities, and states across the country. We encourage you to read and share them widely, and to contact us with any questions or ideas for how to use them in your own work.
Promoting the Right to Food through the UPR
More than 150 organizations submitted reports as part of the United States' fourth review under the Universal Periodic Review process.
Read our full report, submitted on behalf of more than 35 organizations across the country. In it, we explore the progress the United States has made in advancing the right to food since 2020, the most recent Universal Periodic Review by the Human Rights Council.
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In August, the National Right to Food Community of Practice joined five other civil society representatives at the UPR pre-session in Geneva to deliver collective statements about the current human rights situation in the United States and suggest recommendations that could be made in November.
Read our statement, slides and factsheet (versión en Español​) on the Right to Food in the United States
What is the UPR?
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a process of international accountability - each country has agreed to take part in a peer review of its human rights record every four to five years. The process provides opportunities for UN Member States and civil society organizations to raise questions and make recommendations to the country under review.
The United States' withdrawal from the UPR process was announced on the same day that United Nations Human Rights Council members were gathered to hear from representatives of U.S. civil society - including the National Right to Food Community of Practice - who had prepared statements about the human rights situation in our country. ​
Online event held: November 11, 2025
Right to Food in the United States: Solidarity and Accountability through the Universal Periodic Review
This event provided a space for advocates and organizations working within the U.S. and in other countries to reflect on concerns and opportunities for advancing the right to food. It was held at a moment when the United States federal government had withdrawn from the Universal Periodic Review process and other forms of international accountability and cooperation.
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Read event report.
Related Human Rights in the United States
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These factsheets were developed by partners working across other economic, social, and cultural rights - they highlight concerns and recommendations shared with UN Member States as part of the Universal Periodic Review of the United States in 2025.