On 20-22 May 2024, Prof. Dr. Amara Pongsapich, the Representative of Thailand to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) participated in the 39^th AICHR Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. The meeting was attended by the Representatives of ASEAN Member States to AICHR and was chaired by the Representative from the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

            The meeting discussed the implementation of AICHR’s Five-Year Work Plan (2024-2028) and activities, while emphasising the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, business and human rights, environmental rights, and combatting human trafficking. Thailand, as the Chair of the ASEAN Environmental Rights Working Group (AER WG) updated the meeting on the progress of drafting of the Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, and Sustainable Environment, which will be tabled for the AER WG’s consideration in July 2024.  Furthermore, the representatives to AICHR also met with external partners to promote and enhance cooperation, including Australia, the United States, the European Union, and Japan.

             AICHR is an intergovernmental organisation and serves as ASEAN’s main body for human rights. It is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights throughout ASEAN, in accordance with the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, which places human rights at the core of all three pillars of the ASEAN Community. The Representative of Thailand to AICHR plays a pivotal role in advancing human rights at national, regional, and international levels and acts as a crucial link between government and civil society sectors.