On August 11, the 19th Coordinating Conference on the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (19th SOC-COM) with the theme “The Post-2025 ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community” was held via video conference.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA), ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting, ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting, Phnom Penh Post reported. There were also delegates from ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, ASEAN Entities, and the ASEAN Secretariat.

ASEAN's future is aligned with the needs of its people

In his opening remarks, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Ekkaphab Phanthavong underscored the significance of collective institutional support and stakeholder engagement to address emerging challenges and to capitalize on regional and global opportunities, ultimately achieving a robust and dynamic ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue Ambassador Chirachai Punkrasin provided updates on the center’s cooperation on sustainable development and emphasized the importance of integrated support to cross-sectoral initiatives.

The main discussion was about enabling mechanisms, institutional support, and stakeholder engagement; explored current and target conditions, challenges and trends, and the target options beyond 2025. The gathering shared best practices and strategies to promote partnerships, engagement, and resource mobilization in support of the Post-2025 ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

Highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder coordination, Dr. Joko Kusnanto Anggoro, Senior Advisor to the Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Culture on International Relations Affairs and Chair of SOCA called for the involvement of ASEAN peoples on the development of the Post-2025 ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community attendant document to ensure coherence and conformity across three pillars: the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

Key trends and issues highlighted during the meeting included digital transformation, climate change, health, disaster resilience, and changes in the demographic landscape.

The recommendations, insights, and findings resulting from the 19th SOC-COM will be formally submitted for notation and further guidance at the upcoming 35th SOCA Meeting and the 30th ASCC Council Meeting.

Ensuring ASEAN integration task implementation

The 13th Consultation Meeting of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force-ASEAN Partners was held on August 11 in Lao PDR (Photo: ASEAN Secretariat).

On the same day, 15 ASEAN Partners, alongside the ten ASEAN Member States, attended the 13th Consultation Meeting of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force-ASEAN Partners.

At the meeting, Ambassador Bovonethat Douangchak, Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN, spoke as the Chair of the IAI Task Force for 2023, expressing his gratitude to the partners for their continuous support to IAI to close the development gap in the region and accelerate efforts toward ASEAN regional integration and community building.

The ASEAN Partners reaffirmed their commitment to continue strengthening cooperation with ASEAN through the IAI as the approach and objectives of IAI are in line with the partners’ interests and goals. Joining as an observer for the first time, Timor-Leste appreciated the Partner’s assistance in supporting Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.

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