On the afternoon of 23 July 2016, at the National Convention Center in Vientiane, H.E. Saluemxay Kommasith, Foreign Minister of the Lao PDR chaired the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) interface with Representatives of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

ASEAN Foreign Ministers noted the report by Mr. Phoukhong SISOULATH, Chair of the AICHR on the progress of implementation of AICHR’s programme activities over the past year including workshops on human rights in relation to the environment and climate change, rights of persons with disabilities and human trafficking, exchange between ASEAN Organs and Sectorial Bodies, Dialogue Parties and other external parties including Civil Society Organizations (CSO), and the dissemination and implementation of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD), among others.

The Ministers commended the good progress in the work of AICHR over the past year, which has contributed to the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN, including the promotion of human rights awareness in ASEAN thereby contributing to the ASEAN Community building process. The Ministers encouraged the AICHR to continue their efforts in effectively implementing AICHR’s Priority programmes/acitivitie 2017 in line with AICHR’s existing mandate and functions.