Environment, Business and Human Rights: Emerging Issues

We are delighted to announce the first edition of the Human Rights Lawyers’ Network Meeting for 2025 –– the 14th Meeting of the LAWASIA Human Rights Lawyers' Network is scheduled for Wednesday, 12th March 2025, online via Zoom.
 
This meeting will address “Environment, Business and Human Rights: Emerging Issues,” focusing on the global dynamics shaping these areas and the challenges lawyers face at their intersection. The discussion will address the evolving discourse surrounding these factors, highlighting avenues for advancing this conversation.

The session will delve into the groundbreaking EU Deforestation Regulation and the growing momentum of youth-led climate change litigation in South Korea.
 
Our panel of esteemed speakers from Belgium, South Korea, and Malaysia will lead the discussion on the topic. 

We hope to explore new trends and best practices in business and human rights, with a sharp focus on protecting the environment.

Watch Meeting Highlights

Webinar Details

Date: Wednesday 12 March 2025

Cost: Complimentary

Time: 

• 19:00 - 20:30 (Suva)
• 18:00 - 19:30 (Sydney/Canberra)
• 16:00 - 17:30 (Tokyo/Seoul)
• 15:00 - 16:30 (Hong Kong/Singapore/KL/Beijing/Taipei)
• 12:30 - 14:00 (Delhi/Colombo)
• 07:00 - 08:30 (London)
• 23:00 - 00:30, Tuesday, 11th to Wednesday,12th March (USA-PST)
• 00:00 – 01:30 (USA-MST)
• 08:00 – 09:30 (Brussels/ Berlin)

Meeting Presentations

• Dr. Agnieszka Paulina Regiec, LL.M
• Mr. Sejong Youn 
• Mr. Abang Iwawan: executive summary:

Malaysia’s environmental governance operates within a complex legal and regulatory framework, where jurisdictional fragmentation often undermines effective enforcement. While the Environmental Quality Act (EQA) establishes a federal framework, state governments—particularly Sarawak—have asserted independent regulatory authority over environmental matters. This dynamic raises critical questions about the interplay between federal initiatives, such as the proposed Climate Change Bill (RUUPIN), and existing state-led policies. Key challenges include gaps in enforcement, regulatory coherence, and access to justice. This presentation examined Malaysia’s evolving environmental governance landscape, emphasizing the urgent need for a coordinated, rights-based approach to sustainability and regulatory reform.