PHNOM PENH, 17 October 2022 – The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council gathered in Phnom Penh on 13 October for the 28th ASCC Council Meeting to discuss the strategic direction for the ASCC, as well as its cross-pillar and cross-sectoral work.
The ASCC Council Chair and Cambodian Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, hosted and chaired the meeting. ASCC Council Ministers, representatives from ASEAN Member States (AMS), and Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi were in attendance.
In his opening address, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen stated that in order to strengthen resilience and sustainable socio-economic development and recovery, ASEAN must strengthen cooperation and pay greater attention to the protection and development of human capital. According to him, this could be achieved through a wider adoption of digital technology; development of crisis-ready public health and social protection systems; and the strengthening of the education sector and skills development.
The council commended the broad range of ASCC outcome documents to be endorsed by ASEAN Leaders at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits. It was emphasised that the ASCC outcome documents under Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2022 theme “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together” were timely, as ASEAN is doubling its efforts to secure a strong, sustainable, and inclusive post-pandemic recovery.
Among the key topics and recommendations discussed at the meeting were the need for the ASCC to intensify efforts to enhance social, human and sustainable development; strengthen AMS’ collective effort to build resilience and preparedness for future challenges; and innovate institutional effectiveness and strengthen cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination.
The meeting also commended the notable progress made in the ASCC Blueprint 2025 implementation and ASCC’s alignment of its activities and sectoral work plans with the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and Implementation Plan.
At the meeting, the council appreciated Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi for his service as he will complete his five-year term of office by the end of 2022. The council highlighted the Secretary-General’s firm commitment to the ASEAN Charter to mobilise resources and actions in response to the COVID-19 crisis, prepare for a strong post-pandemic recovery, and prepare ASEAN people for the future of work.
Moreover, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron acknowledged the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) support to ASCC. The ASEAN Leadership Forum on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication, and the second backing research on learning loss in reading and mathematics at the primary school level in Lower Mekong countries throughout the pandemic, were some of the activities and projects that benefitted from ERIA’s support.
The Council Meeting included several side events such as the inauguration of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies in Phnom Penh, 6th ASEAN Youth Video Contest, 1st ASEAN Youth Photo Competition, and the 1st ASEAN Youth Debate.
# # #
