Voices from the region panel

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Voices from the region panel in Bangkok today

Ms. Tetet Nera-Lauron hosted a lively panel of regional voices. Panellists discussed key issues in light of the post-2015 agenda. The discussions highlighted some main points important to civil society and local authorities.

The first point was around regional CSO engagement, and the need to include more individuals beyond the UN defined major groups, such as migrants, elderly, LGBT, people affected by conflicts and disasters, fisherfolk and people living with HIV. In this case, the Asia Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism is a role model in the global system.

Participants then stressed the need for the human rights based approach to development (HRBA) which did not, in the view of panellists, have enough focus in the zero draft document. Additionally, the importance of maintaining (and not back-tracking) on international agreements with regards to human rights is deemed essential. 

Finally, panellists reminded the group that all actors and stakeholders must be held accountable; and that the principles of effective development cooperation must be upheld, especially democratic country ownership.