We work together and share our expertise to help make our vision a reality

Our Vision

An Asia Pacific where everyone enjoys human rights.

Founded in 1996, the APF brings together National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from all corners of the Asia Pacific to address some of the most serious human rights challenges in our region.

Drawing on 28 years of human rights experience, a commitment to innovation and an outcomes-based approach to our work, our expertise lies in supporting the establishment of NHRIs and strengthening the capacity of our members to carry out their vital work.

We also work closely with governments, civil society organisations, regional human rights bodies, and the international community to build strong partnerships and strengthen the impact of our members as they work to build fair, inclusive, and resilient communities.

Our work

Our Governance

We are committed to the highest standards of accountability, efficiency, and member participation. As an independent, non-profit legal entity, we are governed by the Forum Council, a board of directors established by the APF Constitution. Each full APF member nominates one voting councillor to the Forum Council.

Our governance also includes:

  • The General Assembly, which sets strategy and makes high-level decisions. 'A status' members have voting and participatory rights, while 'B status' members have participatory rights.
  • A five-member Governance Committee that makes recommendations to the General Assembly on various issues.


Our People

APF Governance Committee 2022-24

The APF Governance Committee makes recommendations to the General Assembly on various issues. Elected by Forum Councillors, committee members serve two-year terms.

Forum Councillors also elect a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson for the committee. These roles automatically extend to the APF Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, respectively, for the two-year term.

APF secretariat

The APF secretariat team manages daily operations and implements Forum Council decisions.

“National Human Rights Institutions have access to a whole series of actors at the national level. They can be the ones who bring about change."

Mark Thomson, former Secretary General, Association for the Prevention of Torture

Our Partners

The APF receives funding from governments, institutional donors and member contributions. We are grateful for the support of our donors and partners who share our commitment to an Asia Pacific where human rights are universally enjoyed and respected.

  1. Australian Government

  2. European Union

  3. Government of Qatar

  4. National Human Rights Commission of India

  5. National Human Rights Commission of Korea

  6. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  7. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

  8. United Nations Development Programme

  9. United Nations Population Fund

  10. UN Women

Advancing human rights in our region