Press Release – 9th Interface Meeting between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Australia
The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Australia convened their 9th Interface Meeting on 22 May 2026 at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.
The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Bolivar L. Bao, Acting AICHR Chair and Alternate Representative of the Philippines to AICHR, with the Australian delegation led by Ambassador Tiffany McDonald. It was attended by Representatives and Alternate Representatives of AICHR, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Chief Executive Leanne Smith, and officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.
Representatives of AICHR and Australia shared updates on human rights developments, ongoing cooperation, and initiatives on thematic priorities since the last meeting. AICHR presented its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting progress in various areas of work, including the adoption of two landmark ASEAN Declarations on human rights at the 47th ASEAN Summit, i.e., the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment, and the ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and the Right to Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development. AICHR also conveyed its deliberations on follow-up activities in the realisation of these Declarations.
The Meeting acknowledged the contribution of the AICHR Engagement Project 2024–2025, which supported AICHR’s priority programmes/activities on trafficking in persons, right to development, right to peace, the environment and climate change, human rights mechanisms, and rights of persons with disabilities. Discussions focused on potential areas of collaboration in the realisation of the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2025-2029). The Meeting welcomed Australia’s continued support for AICHR’s strong commitments and efforts on human rights in a new cooperation project to further support AICHR in 2026 and 2027.
AICHR and Australia further explored cooperation in human rights education, capacity-building, and the promotion of peace and inclusive and sustainable development. They deliberated on opportunities to enhance cooperation on issues such as gender equality, protection of vulnerable groups, and youth engagement, among others.
AICHR and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, strengthening ASEAN-led mechanisms, and deepening cooperation. Both parties looked forward to convening future interface meetings to foster sustained dialogue.
