The Geneva Human Rights Hub contributed to the 24th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights in Ulaanbaatar through the preparation and presentation of its background paper on the future of human rights protection across Asia and Europe.
From 12 to 14 October 2026, representatives of governments, national human rights institutions, civil society, academia and international organisations from across Asia and Europe gathered in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, for the 24th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights (ASEMHRS24).
Organised within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting and coordinated by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the seminar series was launched in 1997 to strengthen dialogue between governments and civil society actors in the two regions. This year’s edition, hosted by the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, focused on “The Future of Human Rights - From Local to Global.”
The discussions considered how human rights protection is being affected by rapid technological change, geopolitical tensions, climate pressures, resource constraints and weakening confidence in multilateral and national institutions. Participants examined practical ways of reinforcing existing human rights systems and narrowing the distance between international standards and the protection people experience in their daily lives.
The seminar discussions were informed by the background paper Asia-Europe and the Future of Human Rights: Bridge-Building for Shared Pathways, prepared by Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, Emeritus Professor at Chulalongkorn University and Lead Rapporteur of the Seminar, and Dr Domenico Zipoli, Head of Programmes at the Geneva Human Rights Hub.
Drawing on perspectives and experiences from both regions, the paper examines human rights protection at the global, regional and national levels. It addresses ongoing reform of the United Nations human rights system, regional protection arrangements, national implementation mechanisms, the role of local and regional governments, and the opportunities and risks associated with digitalisation and artificial intelligence. It also proposes shared pathways and practical orientations for stronger cooperation between Asia and Europe.
Virginia Brás Gomes, Vice-President of the GHRH Board, joined Professor Muntarbhorn in presenting the paper and its principal findings to seminar participants. Her participation also helped connect the paper’s analysis with the working-group discussions and the broader exchange on how human rights commitments can be translated into effective implementation.
The GHRH’s engagement in ASEMHRS24 reflects its commitment to connecting discussions taking place in International Geneva with experiences, institutions and practitioners in other regions. Such exchanges are particularly important at a time when the human rights system must respond to shared pressures while remaining attentive to different regional and national realities.
The GHRH looks forward to continuing this collaboration and to carrying the dialogue forward at the 25th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights (ASEMHRS25) in Europe.
Further information about ASEMHRS24 and the background paper is available on the ASEF event page.
We thank Professor Hélène Tigroudja for the photographs.
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