Joint Press Release – The 1st Interface Meeting between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Norway, 13 May 2025, ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat

The inaugural Interface Meeting between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Norway was held on 13 May 2025 at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.

The AICHR was led by its Chair, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, and the Norwegian delegation was headed by its Ambassador to ASEAN, Ambassador Kjell Tormod Pettersen. The meeting was attended by Representatives and Alternate Representatives of the AICHR, including Timor-Leste as Observer, and officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.

AICHR Representatives/Alternate Representatives and Norway’s representatives shared information on their respective human rights work and initiatives.

AICHR also highlighted its thematic priorities, including programmes on the right to development, peace and conflict prevention, business and human rights, access to remedy, the environment and climate change, the rights of women and children, the rights of persons with disabilities, right to information, freedom of religion and belief, and sharing of best practices on the implementation of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), among others.

The meeting also discussed potential areas of collaboration including capacity building and knowledge sharing on best practices on promoting and protecting the rights of women, children, migrant workers and persons with disabilities, gender equality, realising a torture-free region, human rights education, right to peace, conflict prevention and resolution, business and human rights, and emerging human rights issues such as environmental sustainability and human rights due diligence.

Looking ahead, AICHR and Norway reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening collaboration and looked forward to future interface meetings as part of a sustained and constructive dialogue on human rights.

The Meeting concluded with appreciation extended to Malaysia and the ASEAN Secretariat for the excellent meeting arrangements.