By ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), in line with its mandate under its Terms of Reference, issues this Note for the consideration of ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and Entities, and relevant stakeholders.

Recalling the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, and the Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (2012), and the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment (2025);

Reaffirming the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as other relevant ASEAN instruments promoting disability inclusion, disaster resilience, and sustainable development;

Guided by the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the commitment to leave no one behind;

Acknowledging AICHR’s past initiatives on the environment and human rights and its ongoing efforts to promote cross-pillar and cross-sectoral cooperation within ASEAN;

Recognising the deliberations and recommendations emerging from the Regional Consultation on Promoting the Rights to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment for Persons with Disabilities in ASEAN, held on 8 December 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand;

Recognising that climate change, environmental degradation, pollution, and disasters disproportionately affect persons with disabilities and the importance of ensuring accessibility, universal design, and inclusive approaches in environmental governance, disaster risk reduction, climate action, and sustainable development policies;

Noting the critical role of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, civil society organisations, development partners, and local communities in advancing inclusive environmental solutions and strengthening resilience;

Stressing the importance of meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes related to environmental policies, programmes, and initiatives at national and regional levels;

This Note is non-binding and offered for consideration of ASEAN Member States, relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and Entities, and other stakeholders in ASEAN:

1. Consider strengthening national policies, strategies, and relevant frameworks through a consultative and evolutionary approach to promote the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment in a disability-inclusive manner,
recognising the specific needs and circumstances of persons with disabilities and supporting the well-being of ASEAN peoples.

2. Promote inclusive and coordinated efforts to address the interconnected challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters, recognising that persons with disabilities may face heightened risks and barriers, and encouraging measures that enhance accessibility, safety, and resilience.

3. Encourage the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities, including through Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, in environmental decision making processes, contributing to inclusive and sustainable development and
ensuring that their perspectives inform policies and programmes.

4. Support enhanced cooperation and cross-sectoral collaboration, as appropriate, among relevant stakeholders to advance collective efforts in integrating disability inclusion into environmental governance, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development initiatives.

5. Promote knowledge sharing, capacity building, and partnerships to advance practical pathways for implementing the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a
Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment in a manner that is responsive to the rights, needs, and contributions of persons with disabilities.

As part of AICHR’s commitment to this matter, AICHR will:

  • Continue to provide platforms for inclusive and multi-stakeholder dialogue on environmental rights and disability inclusion in ASEAN.
  • Facilitate exchanges of experiences and good practices among ASEAN Member States and relevant stakeholders to support disability-inclusive environmental governance.
  • Work in consultation with relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and Entities, including those responsible for environment, disaster management, and social welfare, to strengthen cross-pillar cooperation.
  • Contribute to ASEAN Community Vision 2045 by supporting initiatives that advance environmental sustainability, resilience, and the rights of persons with disabilities.

AICHR reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN. Advancing the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment in a disability-inclusive manner is essential to building a people-centred and resilient ASEAN Community that upholds human dignity, equity, and sustainable development.

Source: https://aichr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Adopt-ad-ref_AICHR-Note-on-the-Promotion-of-the-Rights-to-Environment-for-PWDs_13.03.26.pdf. Archived at https://perma.cc/2XD4-XSYL