(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, Nov. 16 (Petra) – The Chairperson of the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) and President of the Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, Samar Haj Hassan, took part in the opening of the forum's regular conference held in Nadi, Fiji.
In a statement on Sunday, the NCHR said the conference, held under the theme: "Shared Journeys Across Asia and the Pacific: Advancing Human Rights," discussed key issues, mainly the independence of national institutions, protection of human rights defenders, the human rights implications of climate change, and enhanced regional cooperation mechanisms.
During the conference, Haj Hassan delivered an extensive presentation on the centre's work in addressing the link between climate change and human rights in Jordan.
Haj Hassan reviewed the centre's efforts in monitoring the human rights impacts of climate change on vulnerable groups and promoting a rights-based approach in environmental policies and national legislation.
Haj Hassan highlighted that the centre dedicates an "advanced" chapter in its annual reports to the right to a healthy environment, noting the environmental challenges facing Jordan and their impact on housing, health, water, and food security.
Calling for strengthening regional and international cooperation, she noted climate change has become a "central" human rights challenge requiring comprehensive responses from national institutions, governments, and civil society.
Haj Hassan also underscored the need for national institutions to safeguard their independence, enhance their role in protecting human rights, and engage constructively with international and UN mechanisms amid the global challenges facing human rights systems.
She noted the Asia-Pacific Forum is witnessing a" pivotal" stage that requires building new alliances with partners and donors, expanding joint advocacy, strengthening cooperation with Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UNDP in the Pacific, and advancing collective work, based on transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
Participants from national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and regional and international experts exchanged experiences on international accreditation processes, calling for ensuring independence, effectiveness, and responsiveness to emerging challenges.

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