Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions Presenting its statement to the APF biennial conference, ANNI noted that at least six APF member institutions – India, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka – have designated a focal person to respond to issues raised by human rights defenders. However, ANNI said that in many countries these desks or focal persons “still require further strengthening and need to be reinforced by the Members of Commissions to effectively address the broader problem of ensuring the rights of human rights defenders.” ANNI also called on the APF to work with parliamentarians and governments in countries where there are no NHRIs to establish independent institutions that comply with the Paris Principles. The APF’s Forum Councillors expressed their appreciation for the constructive contribution of NGOs during the conference. They also reaffirmed the important role of NHRIs to be a ‘defender of the defenders’ and noted the call to advocate for formal recognition and protection of human rights defenders by governments through laws and other mechanisms. APF business and human rights regional conference The APF, in partnership with the NHRI of the Republic of Korea, held a regional conference on business and human rights, in Seoul, Korea from 11–13 October 2011. The conference was held as part of the Asia Pacific’s regional response to the 10th International Conference of NHRIs and its Edinburgh Declaration. The Declaration called on NHRIs to hold regional workshops to consider how they can use their mandates to address corporate-related human rights violations. Presenters from government, the private sector, civil society and NHRIs chronicled human rights violations in different parts of the Asia Pacific and highlighted the benefits associated with corporate compliance with human rights. For example, transnational and Korean companies provided examples of steps taken to promote human rights principles within their parent corporations, as well as their subsidiaries and supply chains. The conference examined existing international standards related to business and human rights, in particular the ‘protect, respect and remedy’ framework developed by Professor John Ruggie, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Business and Human Rights. Participants also discussed the steps that NHRIs can take to implement the framework’s Guiding Principles and shared practical examples of the ways in which they can use their mandate to promote and protect human rights through monitoring, education, advocacy and complaint handling. Following the conference presentations and working groups, APF member institutions agreed to take a number of steps at the national level, including: • reviewing and revising their strategic plans to ensure that action to address human rights violations by business is identified and prioritised • reviewing their existing institutional capacity and identify the training needs required to assist them undertake effective action in relation to business and human rights • creating a focal point for business and human rights within their institutions, if they haven’t already done so, and • developing relationships with key stakeholder groups, including government, business, civil society and others in order to hold an ongoing dialogue on business and human rights. APF members also agreed to contribute to regional and international efforts, including supporting the activities of the ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights and engaging with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights, which will undertake a baseline study into corporate social responsibility. 24 | 2. Enhance members’ communication, cooperation and engagement