The Annual General Meeting (11-12 November) is the APF’s central governance forum, where member institutions come together to review progress, set priorities and make key organisational decisions. At this year’s meeting, members endorsed the APF’s performance and financial reports, agreed on updates to the membership contribution framework, and discussed how to further strengthen the organisation’s governance and impact across the region. The Biennial Conference on 13 November 2025, under the theme “Shared Journeys Across the Asia Pacific: Advancing Human Rights”, opened with a traditional Kava and Salusalu ceremony and addresses by representatives of the Fijian Government, the APF and the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission. The conference sessions provided a platform for NHRIs, regional organisations and civil society to exchange experience on three interlinked priorities:

• Strengthening NHRIs in the Asia Pacific – exploring legal and institutional independence, accreditation and the enabling environment for effective national institutions;
• Localising climate obligations through NHRI practice – including a video address from the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change and discussion on translating global commitments into community-led, culturally responsive climate action;
• Advancing the right to a healthy environment and protecting environmental and climate defenders – focusing on national implementation, protection gaps and the role of NHRIs in safeguarding those at the frontline.

Across the AGM and Biennial Conference, participants highlighted the need for stronger regional cooperation, more systematic engagement with affected communities and civil society, and sustained support for NHRIs operating in complex political and environmental contexts. The discussions informed a set of concrete institutional outcomes adopted by members at the AGM, which will guide APF’s governance, resourcing and international engagement in the coming years.