Press Release – 42nd Meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights 24-27 February 2026, Manila, Philippines
The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened its 42nd Meeting on 24 to 27 February 2026, in Manila, Philippines. The Meeting was preceded by a parallel AICHR Representatives’ Retreat and AICHR Assistants’ Meeting. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Severo S. Catura, Representative of the Philippines to AICHR, and attended by AICHR Representatives and Alternate Representatives, their Assistants, and officials of the ASEAN Secretariat.
As the Philippines assumed the ASEAN Chairship in 2026, the Chair, in his opening remarks, reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to lead the AICHR Chairship with seriousness and purpose, aiming for concrete deliverables to advance its institutional journey and progress in promoting and protecting human rights. The Chair expressed appreciation for the continued collective actions of all Member States in advancing human rights cooperation in the region. He warmly welcomed Timor-Leste as a full member of AICHR, underlining that its participation would complete and enrich the Commission’s regional developments on human rights.
The Meeting discussed and agreed upon a development process for a Regional Plan of Action on the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment. AICHR also discussed the follow-up to the realisation of the ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and the Right to Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development and related regional consultations planned for 2026, both of which will be further explored and deliberated through an AICHR Working Committee.
AICHR Representatives/Alternate Representative of eleven ASEAN Member States shared information and exchanged views on recent human rights developments in the region and their respective countries, including new laws, national action plans, regulatory and policy frameworks, and initiatives on a wide range of matters related to the promotion and protection of human rights, including those relating to emerging challenges in the region.
The Meeting deliberated on institutional matters with a view to improving the Commission’s work including plans for a self-assessment of AICHR’s work, development of a Monitoring and Evaluation framework for implementation of the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan 2026–2030, as well as thematic human rights priorities for 2026 and beyond. The Meeting also discussed measures to strengthen AICHR’s work process pertaining to regional dialogues, thematic studies, thematic notes on human rights, handling of external communications sent to AICHR, as well as other mechanisms and initiatives to better engage and inform the public of AICHR’s work and deliverables.
AICHR Representatives/Alternate Representatives reported on activities conducted in 2025, and provided updates on relevant upcoming activities to be organised in accordance with the approved AICHR Priority Programmes for 2026.
The Meeting discussed AICHR’s coordination and collaboration with ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and Entities on various human rights matters. Initiatives to strengthen collaboration with relevant bodies, such as the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), were identified and further explored.
The Meeting also deliberated measures to strengthen stakeholder engagement, including a review of its consultative relationship with accredited civil society organisations (CSOs). On external relations, AICHR discussed ongoing and upcoming engagements with ASEAN dialogue partners and international organisations for cooperation on human rights in areas of mutual interest.
AICHR expressed its appreciation to AICHR Philippines and the ASEAN Secretariat for the excellent arrangements and warm hospitality extended to all delegates.
