Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – On April 27, 2026, the “ASEAN Regional Forum on Human Rights Cities: Localization of Human Rights for Inclusive Development, Towards the Localization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045” opened at the Lumpinee Centre Point Hotel in Bangkok, running from April 27 to 28. Mr. Wijaya Isarapakdee, representative of the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended and delivered the opening address.
This forum is a priority project of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) for 2026, with the core aim of promoting the concept of “human rights cities” and integrating human rights principles into urban development and community governance. The forum provides a platform for exchange among local governments, civil society, and relevant regional institutions, helping all parties share experiences, summarize best practices, and deepen cooperation to achieve more inclusive development.
In his address, Mr. Wijaya Isarapakdee emphasized that cities should not only be engines of economic growth, but also spaces that uphold fairness and inclusion and demonstrate human dignity. He reiterated Thailand's consistent commitment to promoting and protecting all human rights at the national and local levels, considering it a core cornerstone of sustainable development. He also commended Bangkok's pragmatic initiatives in building a human rights city, noting that building strong partnerships with external ASEAN partners and stakeholders such as civil society, the private sector, and local communities is key to advancing the people-centered ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
The forum was chaired by Dr. Panubatatra Kittiang, Assistant Professor and Representative of Thailand to the AICHR, and co-organized by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Research and Dialogue (ACSDSD), the ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF), and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, with support from the European Union.
