Team ABA

AICHR | AICHR Chair Edmund Bon and Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn met and discussed Malaysia’s human rights priority areas for 2025: peace, environmental rights, sustainable development and inclusive growth. Edmund Bon also shared ideas on strengthening AICHR to enhance its work in mainstreaming and integrating human rights in ASEAN.

ASEAN | Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with the Chair of AICHR, Edmund Bon. They exchanged views on AICHR’s work in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the region, and discussed collaboration in support of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship priorities in 2025, under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

AICHR | The AICHR’s 40th meeting from 11 to 14 February 2025 was chaired by Edmund Bon, Chair of AICHR in 2025 and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR. He highlighted the ASEAN chairmanship theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” and emphasised the need for an ASEAN-led, ASEAN-owned, and whole-of-ASEAN approach to advance peace, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

Eco Business | SUHAKAM, legal professionals, and local environmental and human rights advocates are calling for the “right to a clean and safe environment” to be included in Malaysia’s Federal Constitution. This will empower victims who are adversely affected by climate change to seek justice and uphold their rights to secure and healthy living conditions.

Thai PBS World | AICHR Chair Edmund Bon said that AICHR’s priorities this year include the right to peace, and the right to development. The new AICHR Representative from Thailand, Dr. Bhanubhatra Jittiang said that his three-year term will focus on advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, environmental rights, and the rights of migrant labourers.

AICHR | Key points that emerged from the AICHR transition workshop on 10 February 2025 included the need to enhance cross-sectoral collaboration on human rights; and for AICHR’s work to be impactful through its adaptability, flexibility, and being balanced on the promotion and protection aspects of human rights.

Bernama | The 40th Meeting of AICHR marks the first AICHR meeting under the stewardship of Malaysia’s Representative to AICHR and Chair of AICHR 2025, Edmund Bon Tai Soon. Wisma Putra said 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.

New Straits Times | As ASEAN and AICHR chair for 2025, Malaysia will seek to address pressing human rights challenges across the region through an ASEAN-led and ASEAN-owned approach while strengthening AICHR’s institutional framework to shift towards a more protection-centric body.

Astro Awani | Mesyuarat ke-40 AICHR menjadi platform penting bagi Malaysia sebagai Pengerusi ASEAN 2025 untuk memimpin agenda hak asasi manusia dan pembangunan mampan di rantau Asia Tenggara. Acara ini merupakan mesyuarat pertama di bawah kepimpinan Wakil Malaysia ke AICHR dan Pengerusi AICHR bagi tahun 2025, Edmund Bon Tai Soon.

Free Malaysia Today | At AICHR’s first meeting for 2025 from Feb 11 to 14, to be chaired by Malaysia’s AICHR Representative Edmund Bon, he will advocate reforms to strengthen transparency, accountability, and regional collaboration, aiming to expand AICHR’s role beyond its current advisory function.

Scoop | As ASEAN and AICHR Chair for 2025, Malaysia stated its commitment to strengthening AICHR’s institutional framework by shifting towards a more protection-centric approach, enhancing transparency and accountability, and deepening collaboration with ASEAN sectoral bodies and dialogue partners. Malaysia also seeks to foster stronger engagement with civil society organisations.