Development of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Post-2025 Strategic Plan highlights collaboration among stakeholders

On May 28 and 29, the 4th meeting of the ad hoc Working Group in charge of preparing the Post-2025 Strategic Plan of the ASEAN Sociocultural Community was held in Jerudong (Brunei Darussalam) (ASCC). The meeting was co-chaired by Lao PDR and Malaysia, and attended by all ASEAN Member States, as well as East Timor as an observer.

The meeting reviewed the current draft of the ASCC Strategic Plan for after 2025, which incorporated ideas and recommendations from the ASCC sectoral bodies, as well as contributions from the different pillars. Priority was given to the coherence and alignment of the Strategic Plan with sectoral priorities and key documents adopted by ASEAN and ASCC.

In their opening remarks, co-chairs Khamphou Phiasackha, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Dr. Christina Yeo Ken Yin, Undersecretary of the Division of International Relations (Culture) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, praised the progress made in preparing the current draft of the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan. They encouraged ASEAN Member States to remain communicative and judicious in their views and contributions during the drafting process.

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ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for ASCC, Ekkaphab Phanthavong, underlined the importance of stakeholder engagement to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the major issues and challenges facing the ASCC context, as well as necessary considerations. to shape the ASCC agenda for post-2025.

He expressed confidence that the results of these commitments will ensure that the ASCC Strategic Plan for after 2025 reflects the sectoral realities, challenges, priorities and opportunities that the ASCC can seize and capitalize on over the next 20 years.

Recognizing the importance of stakeholder engagement in the development of the ASCC Strategic Plan beyond 2025, the meeting included a consultation, via video conference and in person, with selected ASEAN centers and entities. The in-depth discussions delved into the megatrends and challenges that will impact ASCC over the next two decades, explored strategies and approaches to further strengthen collaboration, partnership and cooperation in advancing ASCC’s goals and objectives, and documented best practices to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan, as well as to maximize existing mechanisms for resource mobilization.

The results of these commitments will ensure that the ASCC Strategic Plan after 2025 reflects the sectoral realities, challenges, priorities and opportunities that the ASCC can take advantage of.

In attendance were representatives of the ASEAN Center for Climate Change, the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, the ASEAN Center for the Study and Dialogue on Sustainable Development, the ASEAN Foundation, the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly, ASEAN Migrant Workers Working Group, Asian Association for Human Resources Development in Rural Asia, Confederation of ASEAN Women’s Organizations, ASEAN Center for Active Aging and Innovation , the ASEAN Forum on Disability and the ASEAN Coordination Center for Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Management. The consultation is part of a series of stakeholder engagement activities organized by the ASCC to support the development of the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan.

The 5th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group to Develop the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan is scheduled to be held in July 2024 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.

In parallel to the meeting, a similar consultation will be held with ASEAN-accredited civil society organizations.