WYCJ Asia participates in ASEAN consultations on human rights and climate change

You can join the Asian front here.

On the 29th and 30th of May 2023, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), in partnership with the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) through the "EU-Funded Project: Engaging with Inter-Governmental Mechanisms on the Right to a Healthy Environment and Climate Change," organized a Regional Consultation on Business and Human Rights, Environment, and Climate Change in ASEAN.

We are thrilled to share that WYCJ’s Asian front was invited to participate in this series of regional consultations spearheaded by AICHR Malaysia, which took place in Kuala Lumpur.

H.E. Professor Dato’ Dr. Aishah Bidin, Representative of Malaysia to AICHR, gave the welcoming remarks and formally opened the event. It was followed by the Keynote Address of Dr. Ian Fry, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change. Dr. Ian Fry spoke about "Advancing a Human Rights-Based Approach in the Context of Climate Change."

Nicole Ponce, a global steering member and front convener for Asia, had the honor of being invited as a panelist for "Session 4: Ensuring justice and equity in environment and climate action: Effective remedy for human rights harms" and spoke about her views on the ICJ advisory opinion on climate change obligations for the States and the liability of the States for failure to take action. She also presented her views on the role of youth and young people in promoting awareness of climate action and human rights.

The momentum behind these discussions was sparked by the historic adoption of the UNGA Resolution, which sought an ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change and human rights on the 29th of March in New York. Recognizing the urgent need to address climate-related issues, youth and civil society organizations, led primarily by the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) and supported by the World's Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ), launched the groundbreaking Youth Climate Justice Handbook.

The regional consultation was a great opportunity to highlight The Handbook and how it can be a crucial tool for states in preparing their written submissions to the International Court of Justice. At the same time, it is instructive on how countries can engage their young change-makers in their written and oral submissions to the Court.

WYCJ's participation in the AICHR regional consultation underscores the growing recognition of the crucial role of youth in shaping the climate discourse and advancing transformative action.

Huge thanks to AICHR Malaysia and its partner organizations for amplifying youth voices in such an important discussion and on a very significant platform, such as the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).