The APF works closely with non-government organisations at the international, regional and national and local level, recognising the crucial importance of cooperation between national human rights institutions and NGOs in the protection and promotion of human rights.

The foundation for the APF’s partnership with NGOs is the Kandy Program of Action, which was developed at the APF’s Workshop on National Institutions and Non-Governmental Organisations, hosted by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka in July 1999.

The APF has developed close working partnerships with a wide range of NGOs including Forum Asia, Asia Pacific Human Rights Network, International Service for Human Rights and the Association for the Prevention of Torture.

International, regional and national and local NGOs are invited to attend the APF’s annual meetings and regional workshops as observers and where possible, to participate in other APF activities.