Jakarta, July 10 (AseanAll)  — The 5th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group to Develop the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan took place on 8 – 10 July, 2024 at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The meeting was co-chaired by Lao PDR and Malaysia, attended by all ASEAN Member States (AMS), the ASEAN Secretariat, and Timor-Leste as observer.

The meeting reviewed the 1st draft of the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan which incorporated insights and recommendations from ASCC Sectoral Bodies on key focus areas such as disability inclusive development, health priorities, workforce enhancement and among others. It also reviewed mechanisms involved in the implementation of the strategic measures, and exchanged views on the development of the Strategic Plan’s narrative document. 

In their opening remarks, the Co-Chairs ––– Khamphou Phiasackha, Deputy Director-General of Planning and International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Lao PDR and Dr. Christina Yeo Ken Yin, Under Secretary, International Relations Division (Culture), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia ––– extended their appreciation to the ASCC Sectoral Bodies for their active participation in the development process of the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan. They encouraged AMS to continuously engage their sectoral bodies in sharing insights and recommendations, and ensure active participation on the drafting and consultation process.

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASCC Ekkaphab Phanthavong highlighted the significant milestone of the development of the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan and underscored the pivotal role that ASCC and cross-pillar sectoral bodies, ASCC partners and its stakeholder will play in ensuring the achievement of ASCC goals beyond 2025. He expressed confidence that the development process of the Strategic Plan ensures it is comprehensive and captures the complex and interlocking realities of the socio-cultural landscape in the region.

The meeting included an in-person and video conference consultation, with selected think tanks, research organisations, ASEAN accredited civil society organisations and social enterprises. The consultation looked into potential strategies and approaches, and explored avenues on how the ASCC can enhance its partnerships, leadership, engagement and influence beyond 2025. It also identified recommended strategies and mechanisms for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan.

The stakeholder consultation for the think tanks and research organisation was attended by representatives from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Institute of Malaysian and International Studies, Macroeconomic Research Institute of Lao Academy of Economics and Social Sciences, Centre for Strategic and International Studies Indonesia, Cambodia Development Resource Institute, and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia.

Meanwhile the consultation with ASEAN accredited civil society organisations and social enterprise was attended by representatives from AirAsia Foundation, The Teachers’ Council of Thailand, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, The Teachers’ Council of Thailand, and Southeast Asia Regional Institute for Community and Education. The consultation is part of a series of stakeholder engagement activities organised by the ASCC to support the development of the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan.

The 6th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group to Develop the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan is planned to be convened in August 2024 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.