AICHR Retreat & 40th Meeting To Be Held In Langkawi Feb 11–14, 2025 - Wisma Putra

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- The Retreat and 40th Meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) will take place for four days from Feb 11, 2025, in Langkawi, Kedah, according to Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry.

“This marks the first AICHR meeting under the stewardship of Representative of Malaysia to the AICHR and Chair of AICHR 2025 Edmund Bon Tai Soon,” said the ministry, widely known as Wisma Putra, in a statement Monday (Feb 10).

Wisma Putra said matters on the agenda include the rights of victims and survivors in conflict situations, peace and peacebuilding initiatives, the proposed ASEAN declarations on environmental rights, inclusive growth, sustainable development and the right to development.

Representatives from all ASEAN Member States will participate, alongside Timor-Leste’s AICHR Representative, who will attend as an observer.

As ASEAN and AICHR Chair for 2025, Wisma Putra said Malaysia will present its priority areas and key deliverables, aligned with the broader ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

“This year, Malaysia aims to advance key thematic areas such as the right to peace, the right to development, business and human rights, environmental rights protection, and climate change,” it said.

It seeks to address pressing human rights challenges in the region through an ASEAN-led and ASEAN-owned approach while enhancing AICHR’s institutional framework to transition toward a more protection-centric body.

Additionally, Malaysia aims to increase transparency and accountability to improve AICHR’s processes mechanisms, strengthen AICHR’s collaboration with ASEAN sectoral bodies and dialogue partners, and foster stronger engagement with civil society organisations, reinforcing inclusivity through ongoing dialogues and collaborations.

Ahead of the meeting, Wisma Putra said a Transition Workshop will take place on Feb 10 to ensure a seamless handover between several of the outgoing and incoming AICHR Representatives.

The workshop will review past initiatives, share best practices, and align future strategies.

It will also bring together former and outgoing representatives to sustain momentum on ongoing and future initiatives and include a dialogue with civil society organisations in consultative relationships with AICHR, ensuring diverse perspectives inform the discussions.

“The outcomes of the workshop will enrich AICHR’s deliberations, reinforcing ASEAN’s commitment to rule of law, democracy, human rights, sustainability, and inclusive development,” said Wisma Putra.

-- BERNAMA