MYANMAR, 26 AUGUST 2025 -The 20th ASEAN GO-NGO Forum on Social Welfare and Development convened today, to address the critical need for stronger social protection systems that are responsive to diverse needs and vulnerabilities across the region.
Under the theme, “Enhancing Responsive Social Protection for Vulnerable Groups in the ASEAN Community”, the forum discussed how social protection as an essential policy tool and programme intervention for tackling the increasing risks and emerging challenges faced by women and children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
Hosted by the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement of Myanmar, and co-chaired by the AGE Myanmar, the Forum brought together ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste, as well as partners and stakeholders, to exchange knowledge and experiences on strengthening inclusive, responsive, and adaptive social protection in the region. The Forum highlighted the crucial role of sustainable public financing and active private sector engagement in delivering impactful social protection measures.
In his remarks, San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community emphasised the region’s collective strategy. “ASEAN is committed to promoting cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure that social protection systems across the region enable the people of ASEAN to cope better with shocks, build resilience, and address the structural drivers of crisis. Our work is guided by the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection and its Regional Framework and Action Plan, focusing on data driven, rights-based, and inclusive delivery.”
Representing the host country and as incoming Chair of SOMSWD, Dr. San San Aye, Director-General of the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement of Myanmar, stated, “Providing support for the well-being of vulnerable populations is vital for lifting people out of poverty and reducing inequality. Improving the efficiency of social protection delivery, including strengthening the social service workforce, is imperative to our community-building efforts.
Highlighting the importance of civil society partnership, Dr. Hein Thet Ssoe, CEO of AGE Myanmar, Said, “It is vital to amplify the voices of women and children, persons with disabilities and older persons and their organisations. This is how we will reshape social protection in ASEAN to genuinely respond to their needs and respect their well-being.”
During the Forum, the participants discussed recommendations on enhancing social protection through life cycle, rights-age-gender-based approaches in policies and programmes. The Forum concluded with recommendations, including a call to revisit the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection and its Regional Framework and Action Plan. Participants urged that its successor framework be aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and Strategic Plan.
Around 100 participants attended the Forum online, including SOMSWD Focal Points, representatives from the government agencies and non-governmental organisations of ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, members of the academia, other international organisations and UN agencies, and the ASEAN Secretariat.
