Joint Press Release – AICHR-ASOEN Interface Consultation on the Proposed ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment

On 8 April 2025, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) had their inaugural Interface Consultation in Penang, Malaysia.

A welcome dinner was hosted by Malaysia and AICHR Chair, H. E. Edmund Bon Tai Soon, on 7 April, followed by a joint site visit to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and an informal working lunch both on 8 April. The consultation brought together AICHR Representatives/Alternate Representatives, including Timor-Leste as Observer, and ASOEN National Focal Points (NFPs) marking a significant milestone in the development of the proposed ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment which has been on-going for over two years.

The Interface Consultation deliberated on the text of the proposed ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment. Substantive discussions centred on the content and strategic direction of the proposed Declaration with the aim of strengthening inter-sectoral and inter-pillar coordination and enhancing policy coherence to ensure the proposed Declaration’s alignment with ASEAN’s existing frameworks and commitments, including the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration and Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration 2012.

The Interface Consultation reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to enhancing and advancing policies that will promote environment and climate resilience and awareness, inclusivity and sustainability, and the protection of human rights for present and future generations.

The Interface Consultation emphasised strengthening coordination between AICHR and the environment sector, and for the proposed ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment and any follow-up actions to be coherent and inclusive, grounded in ASEAN principles and shared commitments to environmental protection and human rights.

The site visit saw dynamic and constructive exchanges, building bridges between the human rights and environmental sectors within ASEAN while sharing knowledge and good practices. Through this engagement, delegates deepened their mutual understanding on the use of science in supporting the resilience of communities, and concerns on prioritising the protection of national heritage, marine life and natural eco-systems.

AICHR and ASOEN looked forward to continued constructive discussions, deliberations and coordination, and expressed their appreciation to the Government of Malaysia for its generous support and hospitality in hosting this important Interface Consultation and joint site visit.