The 38^th Meeting of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) was held on 20-23 February 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR under the chairmanship of Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy, Representative of the Lao PDR to AICHR, also the Chair of AICHR in 2024. AICHR Representatives/Alternate Representatives of AICHR, ASEAN Secretariat, including Timor-Leste as an observer attended the Meeting. This Meeting was the first one of the series under the chairmanship of the Lao PDR in 2024.

At the Meeting, ASEAN Member States provided updates on the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights in their respective countries. The Meeting also discussed the implementation of the Five-Year Work Plan (2021-2025), especially the priority programmes and activities of AICHR, as well as the initiative activities/workshops and seminars in various areas such as the promotion of gender mainstreaming; human rights and business; human rights and environment; right to education; rights of women and children; rights of persons with disabilities; among others. The Meeting also discussed the progress of thematic studies on the Right to Peace; and the Right to Safe Drinking Water and sanitation in ASEAN. The priority programmes and activities of AICHR in 2024 and preparation of the new Five-Year Work Plan (2026-2030) were also discussed.

The AICHR was established in accordance with Article 4 of the ASEAN Charter and inaugurated in 2009. ASEAN Member State appoint their Representatives to AICHR with a three-year term who may be reappointed for another one term. AICHR is designed to be an integral part of ASEAN organisational structure and an overarching institution with overall responsibility for the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN.

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