The virtual assembly draws 100+ participants to address urgent issues across Asia

The Asia Regional People’s Assembly (ARPA) 2024 has culminated in a call for economic justice, focusing on ending poverty, promoting universal health coverage, strengthening democracy, and addressing climate justice. The virtual assembly, held on 11 September 2024 brought together more than 100 participants, including community members, civil society leaders, elected representatives, politicians, and members from UN organisations.

Download the Declaration of Asia Regional People’s Assembly 2024

The event, endorsed by 22 organising partners and a wide range of civil society organisations across Asia, highlighted the urgent need for action in four key areas:

1. Poverty and Inequality
2. Right to Health and Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
3. Democracy, Civic Space, and Human Rights
4. Climate Justice and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Theme 1: Ending Poverty and Inequalities

With the world set back by 15 years in the fight against hunger, as per the UN’s State of Food Security and Nutrition report, the Assembly recognized the rising levels of hunger and poverty, particularly among marginalized communities. Between 713 and 757 million people globally faced hunger in 2023, with Asia bearing a significant portion of this crisis. Speakers condemned the ongoing debt crisis, which has drained resources from critical sectors like health and education.

The assembly called for immediate adoption of Universal Social Protection Floors (USP), increased investment in agrarian reforms, and stronger support for food sovereignty. A special focus was placed on the rights of farmers, with demands for low-interest institutional credit, protections against land-grabbing, and inclusive ecological planning.

Theme 2: Right to Health and Universal Health Coverage

The right to health issues persists as an ongoing struggle of the vulnerable and marginalised groups across Asia. The privatization of health services and inadequate public funding were criticized as key contributors to inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed stark global divides in access to vaccines and treatments.

To address this, the assembly urged governments to adopt publicly funded Universal Health Coverage (UHC), amend International Health Regulations (IHR) for better global health security, and ensure equitable access to pandemic response tools through technology transfer.

Theme 3: Democracy, Civic Space, and Human Rights

Participants expressed grave concern over the shrinking civic space and rising authoritarianism in several Asian countries. Human rights, including freedom of expression and association, are increasingly being undermined by restrictive laws and surveillance.

The Assembly called on governments to safeguard these rights and create inclusive platforms for marginalized groups, particularly women, Dalits, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ communities. It also demanded action against religious fundamentalism, which is contributing to growing societal polarization.

Theme 4: Climate Justice and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Climate change emerged as a pressing concern, with discussions focusing on its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities in Asia. Citing recent floods in Bangladesh, participants emphasized that those least responsible for climate change are suffering the most. The Assembly called for wealthy, industrialized nations to contribute more to climate finance, support adaptation efforts, and ensure gender-sensitive climate policies.

Participants also demanded an immediate halt to new oil and gas projects, a just transition to renewable energy, and greater accountability from corporations in addressing climate-induced losses and damages.

Demands and Call to Action

The Assembly concluded with a 25-point agenda that covered a wide range of issues from tax justice and debt restructuring to public health investment and climate adaptation. Key demands included:

• Adoption of Universal Social Protectionfunded by public resources.
• Reforms of international financial institutions like the World Bankand IMF.
• Recognition of farmers’ rightsto land and food, alongside institutional credit.
• An equitable Pandemic Accordto tackle health inequities.
• Climate financecontributions from wealthy nations to support adaptation in low-income countries.

The Asia Regional People’s Assembly 2024 set forth an urgent, collective vision for addressing the multifaceted crises facing Asia today. The event united civil society organisations, government officials, and global actors in a shared commitment to justice and inclusion.

Endorsing Organizations

Coordinated by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), the declaration was supported by a diverse coalition — Asia Dalit Rights Forum (ADRF); Global Forum on Communities Discriminated by Work and Descent (GFoD); Asia Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development (APSD); Asia Democracy Network (ADN); Asia Development Alliance (ADA); People’s Vaccine Alliance (PVA), Asia Chapter; OXFAM-Asia; South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE); ActionAid International – Asia Region; Aide Et Action – International; Wada Na Todo Abhiyan; NGO Federation of Nepal; Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM); Noakhali Rural Development Society, Bangladesh; Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organisation (SUNFO); Sanayee Development Organisation, Afghanistan; Pakistan Development Alliance (PDA); ONE Singapore; Africa Japan Forum; Coordination Committee of Cambodia (CCC); Asia Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organisation (APCASO); Women Working Group (WWG); Community Development Services (CDS), Sri Lanka; and Krityanand UNESCO Club, Jamshedpur.

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