Your work is fundamental to securing sustainable peace, with sound, transparent and accountable institutions, and a healthy social fabric. This essential role played by NHRIs is recognised more and more widely. ZEID RA’AD AL HUSSEIN UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS addressing the Annual Conference of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, March 2017 ABOUT THE APF For more than 20 years, the APF has helped build communities across the Asia Pacific where human rights are better respected and protected. Our goal is to ensure that all people in the region can live with dignity, free from violence and discrimination. We draw on the unique powers and position of our members – national human rights institutions (NHRIs) – to drive genuine and lasting change. Established in 1996 with five members, our membership has grown to include 24 NHRIs from all corners of the Asia Pacific. WHAT WE DO We provide practical support so our members can be as effective as possible in promoting and defending human rights and holding perpetrators to account. We bring our members together to develop shared strategies that address some of the most serious human rights challenges in our region. We provide advice and support to governments and civil society groups in their efforts to establish independent NHRIs. We develop partnerships at the international and regional levels to advance human rights and amplify the voice of our members. ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 1