AICHR Regional Dialogue and Consultation on Advancing Development of Environmental Rights concludes

JAKARTA, 8 November 2024 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened AICHR Regional Dialogue and Consultation on Advancing Development of Environmental Rights in ASAEN, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.

The regional dialogue provided a platform for AICHR and ASEAN sectoral bodies as well as national and relevant stakeholders for consultation and exchanges on environmental issues facing ASEAN at present and in the future.

Over 60 participants attended, including representatives from AICHR, ASOEN, relevant ASEAN Working Groups, the ASEAN Secretariat, AMS government agencies, civil society organizations, ASEAN Youth Forum, ASEAN Disability Forum, National Human Rights Institutions, UN entities, and experts in environmental law.

The meeting took stock of ASEAN environment cooperation and progress in promoting the environmental rights. The delegates shared experiences on the implementation of ASEAN and global instruments and/or agreements on issues related to environment at the national level, on the implementation of ASEAN Community Vision 2025 on cross-sectoral and cross-pillar collaboration on environment-related issues, as well as on the challenges and successes in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on environmental issues.

Participants reaffirmed the important link between the environment and full enjoyment of human rights protection. The discussion highlighted on national and regional standard setting, addressing transboundary impact, accountability, public participation, access to justice, the business sector responsibilities, and importance of multi-stakeholder platforms in mainstreaming a rights-based approach to environmental protection in ASEAN.

Among the lessons learned and best practices shared, the meeting acknowledged and expressed support to further collaborate on the development of the draft ASEAN Declaration on the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

In her closing remark, Prof. Dr. Amara Pongsapich, Thailand’s representative to the AICHR, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and development partners, including the Swedish International Development (SIDA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR).