AICHR discuss progress and future of ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025 with representatives of persons with disabilities

BANGKOK, 13 December 2023 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) held the “2023 AICHR Regional Consultation on Midterm Review and Progress of the Enabling Masterplan 2025,” in Bangkok, on 4-5 December.

With over 120 participants in attendance onsite and virtually, the meeting served as a venue for consultation among representatives from government agencies, ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, ASEAN Secretariat, organisation of persons with disabilities, as well as the national human rights institutions to strengthen the implementation of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025:  Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Enabling Masterplan).

Adopted by ASEAN Member States (AMS) and launched in Bangkok in 2018, the Enabling Masterplan contributes to the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at regional level through highlighting intersection across three community pillars of ASEAN. It also embeds sustainable development principles in ASEAN efforts, in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

AMS and sectoral bodies have begun implementation of the Enabling Masterplan and are currently undergoing a Mid Term Review (MTR) of progress from 2018 to 2021.

During the two-day programme, panel speakers and participants exchanged views on challenges and progress made on the MTR, including on data collection, ASEAN sectoral self-assessments, and preliminary reporting on action point progress under the three community. It focused on ensuring that all stakeholders can engage fully and have a clear vision for strengthening Enabling Masterplan implementation.

Participants to the Regional Consultation underscored the need to continue with a convergent approach in mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities, which is a cross-cutting issue, through strategic programmes by ASEAN sectoral bodies and entities across the three Community pillars. The meeting also discussed recommendations to guarantee the successful implementation of the Enabling Masterplan by 2025 including the support needed by Community pillars, and its continuity to move forward the mainstreaming of the rights of persons with disabilities in ASEAN beyond 2025.

AICHR Thailand hosted the consultation in collaboration with the ASEAN Disability Forum, the General Election Network for Disability Access, with support from the Australian Government.