Hanoi (VNA) - The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights(AICHR) convened its second Special Meeting via video conference from November23 to 25, the last official meeting chaired by Vietnam in its capacity as AICHR Chair 2020.

The meetingbrought together representatives of the AICHR from ASEAN member states and theASEAN Secretariat to review cooperation between stakeholders and results in 2020,while also discussing plans for 2021 and preparations for a meeting between theAICHIR and partners.

Themeeting reviewed eight concept papers on activities being implemented in the2019-2021 period, 19 priority activities for 2014-2020, and seven AICHRregional studies. Member states greatly appreciate the AICHR’s concertedefforts during COVID-19 to maintain cooperation and implement priorities tofurther promote and protect human rights in the region and effectively respondto the complex and multidimensional impacts of the pandemic.

Representativesexchanged views and agreed on the content of the Guidelines on the AICHR’s ExternalRelations, which is fundamental to fostering consultation and cooperationbetween the commission and its partners and guarantees the principles ofconsensus and ASEAN’s centrality in such matters.

In herremarks as Chair of AICHR 2020, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Thai Yen Huongunderscored the importance of the implementation of agendas and cooperation on thepromotion and protection of human rights within ASEAN.

She welcomed active coordinationbetween member states in drafting and adopting the AICHR Five Year Work Plan2021-2025, AICHR Priority Programmes and Activities 2021, and Guidelines onthe AICHR’s External Relations.

Vietnam,as Chair of AICHR and ASEAN at large this year, has coordinated with othermember states to strengthen the region’s cohesiveness and responsiveness to theimpact of COVID-19 and accelerate progress of the AICHR’s regional cooperationin human rights, contributing to the ASEAN Community’s joint efforts, Huongsaid.

Representativesfrom ASEAN member states also spoke highly of Vietnam’s role as ASEAN Chair2020 in leading the AICHR during a time of hardship. They pledged to furtherstep up the AICHR’s cooperation with regional and international human rights mechanisms.

Theymoved on to highlight the relevance of this year’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of“Cohesive and Responsive”, which was dedicated to maintaining the grouping’ssolidarity, unity, and partnership and effectively responding to the impacts ofCOVID-19 in the areas of economy, and social welfare and human rights,particularly of vulnerable groups, like women, children and people withdisabilities.

On thesidelines of the meeting, the AICHR held online meetings with representativesfrom the UN, the EU, Switzerland, and the International Committee of the RedCross, to exchange experience in issues of mutual interest, such ashumanitarian assistance, the promotion of gender equality, the protection of therights of women, children, migrant workers and vulnerable groups, and the incorporationof human rights and the environment, particularly in disasters and pandemics.

Themeeting saw Vietnam officially hand over the AICHR Chairmanship to Brunei for 2021./.