The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) organized a two day Regional Workshop on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Post 2015 and Human Rights in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 11-12 December 2013. The Regional Workshop was held by AICHR Indonesia with support from the Directorate General of ASEAN Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (READI) Facility.
Representatives from the Governments of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Singapore, Thailand and the ASEAN Secretariat attended the Regional Workshop. In addition, representatives from other ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, National Human Rights Institutions, national and regional Civil Society Organizations, the business sector as well as UNDP, OHCHR and UN Women also attended the Regional Workshop.
The workshop discussed several topics that were relevant to the current development of MDGs, among others, the recent developments and convergence of the 3 global processes, namely the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and Post-2015 Development Agenda processes. Some Representatives from ASEAN Member States also shared their experiences and identified the achievements and challenges in implementing human rights principles and frameworks in achieving MDGs in their country until 2015. Furthermore, the workshop also heard experiences from other regions namely Europe and Africa in implementing MDGs.
The workshop also discussed ways to translate Post 2015 Development Agenda and Human Rights in ASEAN, how to identify Goals, Targets and Indicators of the Post 2015 Development Agenda as well as, last but not least, the role of AICHR and relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies in consolidating an effective and meaningful dialogue with its stakeholders from National Human Rights Institutions, Civil Society Organisations, Academia, and business community in formulating the Post 2015 Development Agenda.
The workshop came up with several conclusions and recommendations among others: to encourage the AICHR to further engage in discussion with the relevant ASEAN Sectoral bodies regarding the existing ASEAN Roadmap on the attainment of MDG’s till 2015, as well as commitment to participate in the global process in formulating the human rights principles and framework in the post 2015 development agenda. The Workshop also encouraged the inclusion of a Human Rights based approach into the existing ASEAN Roadmap in the attainment of MDG’s 2015and post MDG’s 2015.