KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — The 34th Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting today underscored the importance of cultural cooperation, sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities, and a deeper appreciation of Asean’s shared heritage as key drivers of regional unity and community-building.
In a statement, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) said the council reaffirmed Asean’s collective commitment to realising ASCC’s vision of a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred community aligned with the Asean Community Vision 2045.
“The council also congratulated Malaysia on the realisation of its priorities under its 2025 Asean chairmanship with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, underscoring Asean’s commitment to intensify and reinforce its efforts in ensuring inclusive and sustainable development and progress in the region,” the statement read.
Motac added that Malaysia’s initiatives continue to strengthen regional unity and cultural identity, in line with the country’s Madani values of sustainability, care and compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity and trust.
The ASCC Council also expressed support for Malaysia’s five priority areas, notably, cultural heritage for value creation; artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation and green jobs towards future-proofing Asean skills and talent; healthy Asean initiatives towards a prosperous Asean; youth and sports potential for all to foster growth, unity and excellence; and climate action for stewardship, partnership and ownership.
The meeting also took note of several cross-pillar and cross-sectoral initiatives under the ASCC, including the Ending Child Labour initiative and the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers; as well as the Asean Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security.
Other initiatives noted include the Asean Development Outlook Volume 2; Asean Comprehensive Framework on Care Economy; the Asean One Health Joint Plan of Action and Asean One Health Network; and the Asean Leaders’ Declaration on Early Childhood Care and Education in Southeast Asia.
Additional initiatives include the Asean Creative Economy Sustainability Framework, the ASCC Research and Development Platform Programme; and the Strategy Playbook on Promoting an Adaptive Asean Community of Greater Understanding, Tolerance and a Sense of Regional Agendas among the People of Asean.
The meeting was chaired by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and attended by representatives from Asean member states, the Asean Secretariat, and observer Timor-Leste.
