Localising Human Rights through Urban Governance in ASEAN Human Rights Cities

On 27-28 April 2026, ASEAN Center for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD) joined the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and its partners: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the European Union and ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum in supporting the convening of the Regional Forum on Human Rights Cities in ASEAN: Localising Human Rights for Inclusive Development Towards Localising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Executive Director Phasporn Sangasubana delivered a welcome remark in congratulating the City of Bangkok as a Human Rights City/Capital and participated as a panel speaker for “Localising Human Rights” discussion at the Regional Forum in emphasizing on the close interrelation, complementarity and integration between human rights and sustainable development, making both processes as “two sides of the same coin” of “leaving no one behind” in supporting a people-centred ASEAN.
Anchored in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the Forum emphasized a people-centred approach to building a resilient community. Localising this vision requires the strategic role of local governments in advancing participatory governance and city-level leadership on human rights. Hosted in Bangkok, this initiative represents a pivotal step toward strengthening regional collaboration and fostering local thought leadership in ASEAN.








