Bangkok, Thailand, 20-21 March 2019–The ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) successfully convened its 28^th Meeting. The meeting was chaired by HE Prof Dr Amara Pongsapich, Thailand Representative to the AICHR 2019-2021 and the Chair of the AICHR.

The meeting, which discussed activities planned under the AICHR’s Priority Programmes/Activities, built on the areas previously undertaken by the AICHR, such as the rights of persons with disabilities, combatting trafficking in persons, business and human rights, human rights and the judiciaries, and the right to education. The meeting was briefed on activities implemented in 2018 including on children rights, women rights, youth debate on human rights, the rights of persons with disabilities which contributed to the adoption of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the ASEAN Leaders in November 2018. The AICHR Representatives 2019-2021 also discussed institutional matters of the AICHR, AICHR Thematic Studies, Reports of Other AICHR Activities, CSOs Applications for Consultative Relationship with the AICHR and External Relations.

One day ahead of the 28^th AICHR Meeting (19^th March 2019), the AICHR conducted a workshop on Transition between the outgoing AICHR Representatives 2016-2018 (for Lao PDR was Mr Phoukhong Sisoulath, Director General of the Department of Treaties and Law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the incoming AICHR Representatives 2019-2021 (for Lao PDR is Lao Ambassador Mrs Malayvieng Sakonhninhom). The workshop aimed to facilitate the transition of the work already undertaken and to ensure the continuity of the institutional arrangements of the AICHR.

Ambassador Malayvieng Sakonhninhom led the Lao PDR delegation in joining this 28^th Meeting of AICHR on 20-21 March 2019.