Joint Press Release – 3rd Interface Meeting between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the ASEAN University Network-Human Rights Education (AUN-HRE)
The 3rd Interface Meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the ASEAN University Network–Human Rights Education (AUN–HRE) was convened on 21 May 2026 at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.
The Meeting was chaired by the Acting AICHR Chair and Alternate Representative of the Philippines to AICHR, Bolivar L. Bao, with the AUN–HRE delegation led by Dr. Vachararutai Boontinand, Convener of the AUN-HRE. It was attended by AICHR Representatives and Alternate Representatives, members of AUN–HRE, and officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.
The Meeting featured an interactive and constructive exchange of views on AICHR’s thematic priorities and initiatives, as well as AUN–HRE’s ongoing efforts to promote human rights education in the region. AICHR shared its Annual Report 2024-2025 and progress over the year, including the adoptions of two landmark ASEAN declarations, 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, and follow-ups being pursued by AICHR in consultation with relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and Entities.
The Meeting took note of the development of the Framework for Human Rights-Based Universities in ASEAN (HRBU Framework), which was first presented to AICHR at their 2nd Interface Meeting in 2025. It was further noted that the HRBU Framework could be relevant to build further collaboration between AICHR and the AUN–HRE on human rights education, as well as other initiatives to support the implementation of the Five-Year Work Plan of AICHR (2026-2030). Both sides noted the need for closer cooperation in areas of common interest, such as support for greater awareness of and engagement with the youth on human rights promotion and protection in the region and of the work of AICHR, and advancing the integration of human rights in higher education in ASEAN.
The Meeting welcomed the constructive engagement between AICHR and AUN-HRE, with both parties looking forward to future interface meetings, and concluded with appreciation extended to the Philippines and the ASEAN Secretariat for the excellent meeting arrangements.
