In 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a historic resolution recognizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a universal human right. Yet, Southeast Asia remains one of the most dangerous regions in the world for environmental human rights defenders, who continue to face threats, violence, and criminalization for protecting land, water, and ecosystems. Against this backdrop, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is drafting a landmark declaration on the right to a safe, clean, [healthy], and sustainable environment. If adopted, this declaration could influence regional environmental governance and shape the future of environmental rights for the 698 million people in Southeast Asia, representing approximately 9% of the world’s population.
As a member of the working group drafting this declaration, I offer an insider’s perspective on its development, aims, and the political realities shaping its progress. I also detail my experiences working alongside UN bodies, diplomats, and communities affected by environmental injustices in this process. My talk will unpack the declaration’s core elements, including the recognition of substantive and procedural environmental rights, protections for environmental defenders, and mechanisms for public participation and access to justice. I then examine the challenges faced in drafting this declaration — particularly resistance to explicitly recognizing Indigenous Peoples and environmental human rights defenders. In doing so, I share lessons learnt from this process and how ASEAN can move towards stronger regional accountability, deeper civil society engagement, and collective action to secure environmental justice in Southeast Asia.