RETREAT AND 40TH MEETING OF THE ASEAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (AICHR) IN LANGKAWI, KEDAH

11 – 14 FEBRUARY 2025

The Retreat and 40th Meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) will take place from 11 to 14 February 2025 in Langkawi, Kedah. This marks the first AICHR meeting under the stewardship of Representative of Malaysia to the AICHR and Chair of AICHR 2025 Edmund Bon Tai Soon.

Matters on the agenda include the rights of victims and survivors in conflict situations, peace and peacebuilding initiatives, the proposed ASEAN declarations on environmental rights, inclusive growth, sustainable development and right to development.

Representatives from all ASEAN Member States will participate, alongside Timor-Leste’s AICHR Representative, who will attend as an observer.

As ASEAN and AICHR Chair for 2025, Malaysia will present its priority areas and key deliverables, aligned with the broader ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

This year, Malaysia aims to:

● Advance key thematic areas such as the right to peace, the right to development, business and human rights, environmental rights protection, and climate change.

● Address pressing human rights challenges across the region through an ASEAN-led and ASEAN-owned approach.

● Enhance AICHR’s institutional framework to transition toward a more protection-centric body.

● Increase transparency and accountability to improve AICHR’s processes and mechanisms.

● Strengthen AICHR’s collaboration with ASEAN sectoral bodies and dialogue partners.

● Foster stronger engagement with civil society organisations, reinforcing inclusivity through ongoing dialogues and collaborations.

Ahead of the meeting, a Transition Workshop will take place on 10 February to ensure a seamless handover between several of the outgoing and incoming AICHR Representatives. This workshop will:

● Review past initiatives, share best practices, and align future strategies.

● Bring together former and outgoing AICHR Representatives to sustain momentum on ongoing and future initiatives.

● Include a dialogue with civil society organisations with consultative relationship with AICHR, ensuring diverse perspectives inform the discussions.

The outcomes of the workshop will enrich AICHR’s deliberations, reinforcing ASEAN’s commitment to rule of law, democracy, human rights, sustainability, and inclusive development.

PUTRAJAYA

10 February 2025

Press Releases

RETREAT AND 40TH MEETING OF THE ASEAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (AICHR) IN LANGKAWI, KEDAH 11 – 14 FEBRUARY 2025

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