JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Kuala Lumpur, 15-17 October 2025: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), through the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), and the European Union (EU) conducted the 6^th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights and related side event. The programme marked another milestone in strengthening interregional cooperation on human rights, the rule of law, good governance and democratic values for both regions.

The dialogue covered a broad range of issues focusing on freedom of assembly, association, expression, opinion and media, access to information and justice, business and human rights, environment and climate change, migration, rights of persons in vulnerable and marginalised situations, human trafficking, gender equality, combating all forms of discrimination on all grounds, digital transformation and cybersecurity.

AICHR Representatives/Alternate Representatives shared information on their work and initiatives, including AICHR’s Five-Year Work Plan (FYWP) and Priority Programmes, and the progress of AICHR-led declarations on the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and on the right to development and the right to peace towards realising inclusive and sustainable development. EU representatives informed about the latest policy and legislative developments inside the EU, including on rule of law, media freedom, disinformation, gender equality, migration, business and human rights. Timor-Leste, as Observer, also engaged with both ASEAN and EU and shared its approach on relevant matters.

The dialogue facilitated a robust and frank exchange of views on human rights in the respective regions as well as on global developments and challenges with implications for the promotion and protection of human rights. A review and stocktaking exercise was also conducted of the 10 years the ASEAN-EU dialogue has been in place since 2015. Observations for further cooperation and enhanced outcomes were made for future programming, including identifying concrete steps to advance the promotion and protection of human rights in both regions, in line with the existing ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership.

As strong advocates of multilateralism, the EU and ASEAN both stressed that rules-based multilateral and regional cooperation underpinned by the respect and promotion of international law, abiding by internationally agreed norms and the principles of the United Nations Charter, ASEAN Charter, ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) and Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD, EU treaties and legislation, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and relevant international human rights law, were essential to overcome current global and regional challenges.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Edmund Bon Tai Soon, Representative of Malaysia to AICHR and AICHR Chair, and Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights. The dialogue was attended by Representatives and Alternate Representatives of AICHR, together with representatives of Timor-Leste as Observer, the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW), ASEAN Secretariat, and representatives of the EU from the European External Action Service, European Commission and European Parliament. The dialogue was followed by a side event on business and human rights on 16 and 17 October attended by ASEAN, EU, government, business and civil society representatives, that also included a field visit to a business site in Pahang, Malaysia.

The dialogue concluded with appreciation extended to Malaysia, the chair of ASEAN and AICHR, the EU Missions to ASEAN and to Malaysia, and ASEAN Secretariat for the excellent meeting arrangements.

Launched in 2015 as an integral part of ASEAN-EU relations, the biennial ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights is a high-level platform to discuss shared concerns on human rights and identify key challenges, within the strategic framework of the ASEAN-EU partnership. This institutionalised region-to-region engagement underscores ASEAN and EU joint commitment to human rights, democracy, multilateralism and the rule of law.

As part of her visit to Malaysia, Ollongren met with Malaysian stakeholders including civil society at the EU-organised 4^th EU-ASEAN Civil Society Forum on 13 and 14 October 2025.

Photo Credit: AICHR Malaysia