Engaging at the regional and international levels Outcome 3: NHRI voices are amplified in regional and international fora Our goal is to amplify the voice, awareness, and collective impact of NHRIs at the regional and international levels. We focus on increasing NHRI participation and influence, fostering collaboration on regional human rights issues, and enhancing NHRI advocacy and recognition. We serve as a collective voice for NHRIs in the Asia Pacific, advocating for shared human rights priorities and raising awareness of their vital role on the global stage. Increased regional and international engagement We work to strengthen NHRI engagement with regional and international bodies, including the United Nations, GANHRI, and other human rights mechanisms, by creating opportunities for NHRIs to address critical human rights issues. Collaborating with member institutions and partner organisations, we actively contribute to global and regional human rights protection systems. As one of GANHRI’s four regional networks, we participate in its annual General Assembly and at least two Bureau meetings each year, while also engaging in GANHRI-UNDP-OHCHR tripartite meetings and task forces focused on specific human rights concerns. In 2023-24 we participated in the following GANHRI meetings: • GANHRI Bureau meeting held in Denmark on 5 November 2023 • International Conference held in Denmark from 6-8 November 2023 • GANHRI-APF Side Event held at the UN Human Rights Council in Switzerland for Central Asian NHRIs on 11 December 2023 • Bureau and General Assembly meetings held in Switzerland from 6-10 May 2024 • GANHRI-OHCHR-UNDP Tripartite meetings held in the United States from 20-24 May 2024 These meetings also provide an opportunity for the APF Chairperson and elected Bureau representatives from member NHRIs to engage in discussions on various administrative and policy matters. In preparation, we work closely with the Chairperson, Bureau members, and the broader APF membership, offering guidance and submitting detailed reports on key issues to inform decision-making within the network. A key highlight of the past year was participating in the 14th International Conference of NHRIs, hosted by GANHRI with OHCHR, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, and DIHR in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 6-8 November 2023. The event brought together 300 participants, including NHRIs, UN agencies, NGOs, and international experts, with a focus on the role of NHRIs in addressing and preventing torture. The focus of the conference was on exploring the role of NHRIs in addressing and preventing torture, emphasising the commitment to uphold the right of all individuals to live with dignity and free from torture. The event was also an opportunity for us to engage with the other regional NHRI networks: the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), Americas Network of National Human Rights Institutions (RINDHCA), and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI). APF Annual Report 2023-24 27