ASEAN Forum in Bangkok Charts Path for Human Rights-Based Cities Across the Region

Bangkok, 28 April 2026– The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) brought together more than 70 representatives from across the region and Europe in Bangkok on 27–28 April to explore how cities can put human rights at the centre of urban development.

The Regional Forum on Human Rights Cities in ASEAN: Localising Human Rights for Inclusive Development towards Localising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 gathered officials from ASEAN Member States, ASEAN sectoral bodies, the ASEAN Secretariat, local governments, civil society, as well as European and international partners.

This initiative is led by AICHR Thailand, with support from the European Union, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD), the ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF), and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

Participants examined how local governments can translate regional commitments into tangible, on-the-ground action, and how city-to-city partnerships, within ASEAN and with European counterparts, can accelerate inclusive, rights-based urban development. The exchanges also opened space for deeper ASEAN–EU cooperation on sustainable cities and human rights.

To ground the discussions in practice, participants visited four Bangkok initiatives that demonstrates  how human rights principles are integrated into urban services: Bueng Sakae Ngam Nursing Home, which supports older persons and persons with disabilities; Baan Im Jai Emergency Shelters, which provides holistic support for people experiencing homelessness; the BKK Food Bank, which improves food access for vulnerable groups; and Benchakitti Park, an example of inclusive and sustainable urban design.

The Forum highlighted that local governments are central to advancing human rights at the grassroots, and that inclusive cities require participatory approaches, cross-sector collaboration, and sustained political commitment.

Participants underscored the need to strengthen institutional capacities, promote inclusive public services, and ensure that no one is left behind in ASEAN’s development trajectory.

As next steps, AICHR and its partners will carry out follow-up activities and develop a compilation of good practices, providing cities and local governments with practical references to guide their own efforts to localise human rights in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.