AICHR Philippines Hosts 6th ASEAN Dialogue on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
MAKATI, Philippines, 17 December 2025 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Philippines convened the 6th Dialogue on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) on 17 December 2025 in Makati, Philippines, and via video conference. AICHR Philippines partnered with the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) Philippines, the UP Institute for Human Rights, and Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia).
The Dialogue focused on General Comment No. 17 which elaborates on the right of the child to rest, leisure, play, recreational activities, cultural life and the arts. Discussionssought to deepen understanding of the importance of UN CRC Article 31, in harmony with the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration Article 32 under Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Over 60 participants attended the Dialogue onsite and online, including Representatives from AICHR, ACWC, UNICEF, and stakeholders from various government agencies, international organizations, national human rights institutions, and civil society organizations.
The Philippine Representative to AICHR H.E. Undersecretary Severo S. Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) delivered the opening remarks highlighting the importance of pursuing this Dialogue as it reaffirms the country’s commitments under the 4th Philippine Human Rights Plan for 2024 to 2028. The Philippine ACWC Children’s Rights Representative H.E. Elizabeth Aguiling-Pangalangan, likewise reiterated the country’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasizing the protection and development of children’s rights and lives.
The Sessions examined the key concepts of General Comment No. 17, its implementation, as well as its relation to the physical and digital environment, culture, education, and business and marketing. The Dialogue wasenriched by resource speakers and presenters from across the stakeholder’s spectrum, coming from government, academia, international organizations, and CSOs.
Since its first iteration in 2018, the ASEAN Dialogue on the UN CRC consistently reaffirms AICHR’s sustained efforts to promote children’s rights in ASEAN by working together with ACWC, and child rights organizations such as CRC Asia, by integrating children’s rights in the policy-making process, and coordination of various sectoral bodies. It provides a platform for discussing best practices and addressing emerging challenges in ASEAN on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by all ASEAN Member States.