The CA resulted in a detailed report outlining strategies to strengthen the Ombudsman’s capacity, staff development, internal processes, along with recommendations to address identified gaps. In March 2025, we also supported the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) to publicly launch its Capacity Assessment Review (‘CAR’) report. The support resulted in the identification of recommendations for prioritisation by the FHRADC, including strategic areas for inclusion (e.g. data collection and analysis), and the identification of ways for its stakeholders to support the Commission. Strengthening the leadership of NHRIs Supporting NHRI leadership is a core part of our work. We help leaders build institutions committed to promoting and protecting human rights in line with the Paris Principles, fostering independence and initiative. Our leadership services include high-level dialogues, virtual sessions, and outreach calls offering guidance and solidarity. APF also provided targeted leadership support to the Human Rights Unit of the Samoa Ombudsman/NHRI, the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia and the New Zealand Human Rights Commission. This included induction and leadership outreach meetings to identify capacity-building needs, discuss accreditation priorities, support engagement with Parliament and outline opportunities for ongoing peer learning and participation in APF activities. In January 2025, the APF supported the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (‘NHRC’) to hold a two-day Leadership Dialogue as part of its follow-up to the 2024 Capacity Assessment (‘CA’). The retreat provided a confidential and structured space for NHRC leadership to reflect on progress, strengthen internal cohesion, and agree on priorities to implement recommendations from the CA report. Through facilitated discussions, the NHRC leadership team, comprising Commissioners and senior staff, identified key operational and communication challenges and co-developed practical internal actions to address them. The dialogue highlighted the importance of institutionalising leadership reflection and collective decision-making, particularly as the Commission approaches the latter half of its mandate. The APF convened a meeting of the Senior Executive Officers (‘SEO’) network in September 2024. Bringing together representatives from 20 NHRIs, the meeting provided an important space for sharing challenges, successes, and innovative practices related to internal capacity development. The meeting resulted in stronger peer connections amongst SEOs, shared practical insights on capacity-building initiatives, and collective interest in maintaining ongoing exchange through a community of practice. Participants recognised the importance of regular engagement to sustain institutional effectiveness, especially in increasingly complex and politically sensitive environments. 16 APF Annual Report 2024-25