By S. Vinothaa | Malaysiakini
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is optimistic that the ASEAN Declaration on Environmental Rights will be adopted by the bloc this year.
The declaration that will set out guiding principles for ASEAN member states to respect, promote, protect and fulfill both substantive and procedural environmental human rights was mooted by the Environmental Rights Working Group in 2022.
“It looks promising. That’s what we are working toward,” he said when asked if the bloc would reach a consensus during Malaysia’s term as chair.
The declaration will be discussed by member states this month.
“We have seen good progress so far.
“Of course, there are varying viewpoints, but at the working level, there are very good discussions.
“There are very minor issues and we are going to the next level,” he told reporters after launching the ASEAN chairmanship at the ministry level at the Forest Reserve Institute Malaysia.
The document has come a long way from when it was introduced and the final 10-page document will serve as Southeast Asia’s first regional framework.
However, it is widely viewed as a watered-down version of the original draft, especially for its inadequate representation of indigenous people.
