(AseanAll) — The Minister of Social Solidarity and Inclusion of Timor-Leste, Verónica das Dores, took part in the 33rd Meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Council (ASCC), held on April 24th in Kuching, the capital of the state of Sarawak in Malaysia.
The meeting, chaired by Tiong King Sing, Malaysia's Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, welcomed ministers and senior representatives from ASEAN member states and was also attended by Timor-Leste as an observer country. During the work, unanimous support was expressed for the five priorities defined by the Malaysian presidency of the ASCC Council, centered on inclusion, sustainability and strengthening the role of culture, youth, health and the environment in regional development.
In his opening speech, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn pointed out that “as the ASCC Blueprint 2025 nears its conclusion, ASCC has taken proactive steps to prepare for its post-2025 future with the ASCC Strategic Plan, which presents a holistic strategy, and measures anchored in sectoral priorities and people's aspirations.” He also stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration between the ASEAN pillars and tackling cross-cutting challenges, with an emphasis on climate resilience, risk management and reducing inequalities.
The meeting culminated with the official launch of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Strategic Plan 2045, which will be formally adopted by the Heads of State and Government during the 46th ASEAN Summit, scheduled for May 26th, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur. Among the documents approved for adoption at the Summit are the ASEAN Declaration of Commitment on Drug Security and Self-Reliance, the Checklist for Fair Recruitment Practices and Decent Employment of Migrant Workers, and the 33rd ASCC Council Report. The ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework will be approved by ad referendum.
Prior to the 33rd ASCC Council Meeting, the Timorese delegation took part in the 11th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group for the Development of the ASCC Strategic Plan and the 38th Senior Officials Committee of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, contributing to the definition of strategic guidelines with a view to integrating Timor-Leste into this pillar of ASEAN and aligning it with the Community's Vision 2045.
The Minister was accompanied by Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Malaysia, Lisualdo Gaspar, and a delegation comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, the Civil Service Commission and the Secretary of State for Equality.
