Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions 16th APF Annual Meeting and Biennial Conference The NHRI of Thailand hosted the APF’s 16th Annual Meeting and Biennial Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, from 6–8 September 2011. The annual meeting was attended by representatives from all the APF’s member institutions. Membership of the APF has expanded to include 18 NHRIs, with the NHRI of Bangladesh admitted as an associate member during the meeting. Representatives from the NHRIs from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Oman also attended the event as observers. The Biennial Conference was attended by over 150 representatives from NHRIs, governments, civil society organisations and UN agencies from across the Asia Pacific region. The conference is the largest human rights gathering in the region. The 2011 Biennial Conference focused on progress and challenges in implementing the right to development. Participants shared examples of good practice involving NHRIs and their role to monitor implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development in their respective countries. In his keynote address, the Honourable Dr Hassavut Vititviriyakul, President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand, emphasised the critical importance of establishing appropriate mechanisms to protect the right to development and other human rights so that the benefits of development are fairly distributed. Other presentations highlighted the need to foster an environment of good governance, at both the national and international levels, to enhance transparency and accountability of duty bearers, especially States and corporations. A series of parallel discussions drew on the expertise of national and regional NGOs on a range of related topics, including: • human rights defenders and the right to development • the role of the media and development, and • natural resources and development. As part of the two-day conference, participants also examined the situation facing LGBT people in the Asia Pacific region, as well as steps being taken by NHRIs to advance their human rights. In addition, a conference session explored the important and unique contribution that NHRIs can make to the work of the UN Human Rights Council. 16th APF Annual Meeting. Photograph National Human Rights Commission of Thailand. 22 | 2. Enhance members’ communication, cooperation and engagement