Promoting the development of an inclusive, sustainable and distinctive ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community

Socio-cultural cooperation has always played an important role for ASEAN to promote comprehensive, equitable, inclusive and sustainable development, leaving no one behind.

Thúc đẩy phát triển Cộng đồng Văn hóa – Xã hội ASEAN bao trùm, bền vững và bản sắc

The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community aims to improve and enhance the lives and spirits of the people of the Community. (Source: asean.org)

Efforts to build the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) contribute to improving people's lives and spirits, thereby contributing to economic recovery - social stability, strengthening ASEAN solidarity and identity.

Nearly 70% of the action line is complete

ASCC is one of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community with 15 specialized agencies, in charge of many areas directly related to the people such as: social welfare and development, labor - employment, rural development and poverty reduction, climate change...

Over the past time, with the principle of putting people at the center, serving the people, affirming its important position in the development process of each country as well as the region, ASCC has proactively and actively cooperated with the two pillars of politics - security and economy to address challenges to sustainable development, peace and prosperity in the ASEAN region.

By the end of the first 6 months of this year, ASEAN had implemented 66% of the action lines under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint 2025; strengthened the implementation of ASEAN documents at the national level (the number of ASEAN documents accompanied by laws, policies, and national programs increased by 23% compared to the previous year); completed 36 socio-cultural initiatives out of a total of 72 common initiatives under the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Plan and accelerated the implementation of work programs of specialized channels.

Under the leadership of the Indonesian Chair with the theme “ASEAN Stature: Growth Point” , ASEAN agreed to focus socio-cultural cooperation in 2023 on five priorities: strengthening regional health architecture, rural development, protecting biodiversity to mitigate the impact of climate change, enhancing labor capacity and protecting migrant workers, and promoting inclusive development for people with disabilities.

At the 42nd ASEAN Summit (Indonesia, May 2023), ASEAN Leaders adopted the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on the One Health initiative; ASEAN Declaration on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Their Family Members in Crisis Situations; ASEAN Declaration on Employment Arrangements and Protection of Migrant Workers Working on Fishing Vessels; ASEAN Leaders' Statement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Village Network.

Currently, ASEAN is also discussing the ASCC post-2025 to ensure coherence and relevance among the three pillars (Political-Security, Economic and Socio-Cultural) and ensure that ASEAN's future is in line with the needs of the people of the region.

Photo exhibition on ASEAN Community in Lam Dong. (Photo: QT)

Vietnam's commitment and efforts

Over the years, Vietnam has always focused on promoting the implementation of the ASCC Master Plan to 2025. Specifically, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 161/QD-TTg dated January 25, 2016 approving the "Project on developing and implementing the Plan to implement the goals of ASCC to 2025" (referred to as Project 161), which directs the integration of the implementation of ASCC goals into national programs and projects.

2020 is a pivotal year, marking the 5th anniversary of the official establishment of the ASEAN Community and also the mid-term year to assess the implementation of the Master Plans of all 3 pillars of the ASEAN Vision. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, as Chair of ASCC 2020, has chaired and led the completion of all documents and Declarations to be submitted to the 36th and 37th ASEAN Summits for approval and recognition, including 2 important Declarations: the ASEAN Declaration on Human Resource Development for the Changing World of Work and the Hanoi Declaration on Promoting Social Work towards a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community.

Over the years, in addition to supporting and implementing the Community’s priorities set by the ASEAN Chair, the contents of ASCC 2025 have been integrated into programs and plans and widely implemented from the central to local levels in all socio-cultural fields. This shows that connecting regional and national priorities in the process of development and implementation will ensure feasibility and sustainability.

The results of implementing Project 161 in particular and the ASCC Master Plan 2025 in Vietnam have so far achieved many successes, reflected in many areas such as poverty alleviation; ensuring access to safe water and sanitation for all families; increasing maternal and infant mortality rates and ensuring school-age children go to school; promoting sustainable employment; enhancing environmental protection... Those results have contributed greatly to the overall results of the Southeast Asian region and enhancing the image of ASEAN in Vietnam.

These efforts clearly demonstrate Vietnam's commitment to the ASEAN Community, especially the ASCC, not only in terms of guidelines, orientations, and policies but also towards specific actions implemented at the national and regional levels.

Within the framework of the 43rd ASEAN Summit (43 ASEAN Summit) and related activities in Jakarta, Indonesia last September, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that as a reliable partner and responsible active member, Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with Indonesia and other ASEAN countries to strive to build a united, unified, self-reliant and developed ASEAN, contributing to maintaining an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and common development in the region and the world.

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