(AseanAll) — The Twenty-First Coordinating Conference on the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (21st SOC-COM) took place on September 24,2025 in Terengganu, Malaysia, and via video conference. The conference was aimed at setting a clear path forward for the ASCC’s post-2025 agenda and cross-pillar partnerships.
San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), in his opening remarks emphasised the critical need to strengthen cross-sectoral and cross-pillar partnerships and cooperation to ensure inclusive, sustainable and people-centred development. He highlighted the key lessons learned and practices gleaned from the ASCC Blueprint 2025 implementation, as well as the continued relevance of the priorities outlined in the ASCC Strategic Plan in advancing ASEAN’s community-building and regional integration efforts.
Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia, Dato’ Shaharuddin bin Abu Sohot, echoed the importance of cross-pillar and cross-sectoral coordination in addressing cross-cutting issues such as climate change, public health, digital transformation, and sustainable economic growth. He further highlighted the relevance of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability” in articulating ASEAN’s vision towards strengthening regional peace, stability and prosperity within an inclusive, sustainable and future-oriented framework.
The conference served as an opportunity to share updates and valuable insights on key ASCC, cross-sectoral and cross-pillar priorities and explored potential approaches to further strengthen cooperation and partnerships, particularly in addressing current and emerging challenges, trends and leveraging regional and global opportunities.
The 21st SO-COM Conference enabled us to map out key initiatives that support sustainable development cooperation in the region, particularly in driving the achievement of the SDGs. In this regard, the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD) highlighted opportunities for engagement with ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and the wider public to advance sustainable development.
The meeting was attended by more than 80 participants, with Timor-Leste attending as an Observer.
