Our country will host two regional human rights consultation meetings this week to reinforce ASEAN's commitment to a people-centered and inclusive agenda.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Sunday that these two meetings will be chaired by Edmund Bon Tai Suan, the Malaysian representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), and held on April 28 and 29 respectively.
The first consultation meeting, titled “The Second AICHR Consultation Meeting on Advancing Human Rights in the ASEAN Community,” will focus on implementing Article 35 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration 2012, which reaffirms the right to development as a fundamental human right for all ASEAN citizens.
Subsequently, on the 29th, our country will host the AICHR Regional Consultation Meeting to support the development of the 2026-2030 five-year work plan, ensuring that the plan aligns with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and related strategic action plans.
“The consultation meetings are one of Malaysia’s key initiatives in leading ASEAN this year, demonstrating AICHR's commitment to formulating a people-centered, people-oriented, and forward-looking human rights agenda.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned that these consultation meetings are also part of Malaysia's broader initiatives in ASEAN this year, echoing the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability” and emphasizing ASEAN’s efforts to advance inclusive, sustainable, and gender-equal programs.
These efforts aim to reduce poverty, protect human and environmental rights, and bridge regional development gaps.
The consultation meetings will also further explore Malaysia's proposal on the “ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and Peace, Achieving an Inclusive and Sustainable ASEAN.”
The Ministry pointed out that this proposal advocates for advancing human rights in an “ASEAN-led, ASEAN-owned, whole-of-ASEAN” manner, ensuring that the right to development is not overlooked and receives attention at the highest levels.
Participants will engage in thematic discussions on the intersections of human rights, peace, and development, and formulate strategies to strengthen the protection of development rights in various sectors.
The opinions and insights gathered during the consultation meetings will aid in refining the AICHR’s five-year work plan and promote human rights development as a core pillar of ASEAN Community building.