Faith for Rights

Sixth Annual Faith for Rights Meeting in Asia

The Sixth Annual Faith for Rights Meeting, convened by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), is scheduled for October 13–17, 2025, in Siem Reap (Angkor), Cambodia, and Bangkok, Thailand.

This meeting marks a shift from the typical venue in Geneva to highlight Dharmic and indigenous perspectives and broaden the diversity of participants and discussion themes within the “Faith for Rights” framework. The overall objective is to bring global standard-setting mechanisms out of the usual ‘centers’ of global governance and highlight Asian experiences and insights.

Faith for Rights

Key Information

- Dates: October 13–17, 2025
- Venues:
  - October 13–15 (first half): Siem Reap (Angkor), Cambodia (Meetings and accommodation at Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Hotel)
  - October 15 (afternoon): Transfer to Bangkok
  - October 16–17: Bangkok, Thailand (Accommodation at Centara Life Hotel)
- Convenor: The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
- Partners: Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute (BGVI) (supported by Verapuchong Foundation, Thailand), and Dharma Alliance (Geneva). Dharma Alliance will specifically support the development of content and facilitate the participation of representatives of Dharmic and indigenous traditions.

Meeting Structure and Themes

The meeting will be a small, representative gathering of 30–35 experts, scholars, and spiritual leaders from across the world. It will be recognized and publicized as ‘global,’ not ‘regional’.

The meeting’s thematic content will focus on three strands:

1. Conflict avoidance and resolution in the current global context, emphasizing Dharmic approaches.

2. Building awareness about Dharmic approaches and embedding them in the current “Faith for Rights” frameworks and tools.

3. A focus on two or three commitments embedded in the Faith for Rights toolkit.

Public Program and Participation

While the main meetings are informal, peer-to-peer discussions held under the Chatham House rule , a more public gathering with a wider audience will be held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok on October 17, 2025 (morning). The public program is titled “Human Rights, Faith and Dharma: Aligning Inner Conviction with Just Action” and will include government and diplomatic corps, NGOs, FBOs, and media.

Remote participation will be possible for most sessions through an MS Teams link, except on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.