THE ASEAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (AICHR) TO CONVENE SPECIAL MEETING IN PENANG, MALAYSIA 8 – 10 APRIL 2025

THE ASEAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

(AICHR) TO CONVENE SPECIAL MEETING IN PENANG, MALAYSIA

8 - 10 APRIL 2025

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) will convene its Special Meeting 1/2025 from 8 to 10 April 2025 in Penang, Malaysia. This is the second meeting under the leadership of Representative of Malaysia to AICHR Edmund Bon Tai Soon. The meeting will gather all AICHR Representatives (including the Representative of Timor-Leste to AICHR as an observer), and officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.

Key agenda items include deliberations on recent developments in the region, particularly the devastating earthquakes on 28 March that severely impacted people in Myanmar and Thailand. AICHR will explore possible concrete measures to support a comprehensive and effective whole-of-ASEAN response to the disaster.

Also high on the agenda will be the first-of-its-kind interface consultation between AICHR and the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) on 8 April 2025 to finalise the text of the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment. This historic dialogue will be preceded by a joint site visit to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to share knowledge and good practices on environmental sustainability and measures to combat climate change.

The Commission will continue deliberations on Malaysia's proposed ASEAN declaration on the rights to peace and development (encompassing social, cultural, political and economic aspects), inclusive growth and sustainable development - key priorities under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability".

An initiative to develop ASEAN pathways and conceptual frameworks on peace and conflict prevention, management and transformation is also on the agenda of the meeting.

Additionally, AICHR will address institutional and operational matters aimed at enhancing its effectiveness and reinforcing its mandate to advance human rights in the ASEAN region.

PUTRAJAYA

7 April 2025