In his welcoming remarks, Zniber, who also serves as Morocco's Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva, stressed the importance of this competition in forging a spirit of constructive criticism as well as exchanging and sharing values, with the aim of renewing everyone's commitment to human rights.

"It is my sincere wish that this Moot Court Competition will serve as an important professional development experience and make you more effective advocates and lawyers," he told the contest participants.

According to Mr. Zniber, the competition should be seen as a great opportunity to "renew our individual and collective commitment to work tirelessly to build a world where every human life is of equal value, whatever happens and whatever the cost."

In his opinion, the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition is answering this call to action by training the lawyers and human rights defenders of the future in the important skills they need to stand up and defend human rights for all.

"I am hopeful that your participation in this Moot Court Competition inspires you to take action to address today’s pressing human rights issues, at the national level as well as at the regional and international levels," the diplomat stated.

Mr. Zniber emphasized the valuable contribution of the participants in the 16th "Nelson Mandela" World Human Rights Moot Court Competition as advocates and future leaders in the field of human rights. 

"Your passion and dedication are inspiring. The Human Rights Council relies on people like you to continue its work to promote universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and address situations of human rights violations," he said.

Mr. Zniber also highlighted the historic contribution of Nelson Mandela, an emblematic figure in the promotion and defense of human rights whose life was marked by the struggle against discrimination.

The "Nelson Mandela" Global Human Rights Moot Court Competition is organized jointly by the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria; the Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University; and the Commonwealth Secretariat of States, in collaboration with the Human Rights Council Branch at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The annual competition brings law students together in Geneva to plead a hypothetical human rights case.