ASEANEWS | ASCC Council unveils priorities for enhanced connectivity, resilience
Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket (right) and Mr Kao Kim Hourn give a press conference.
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The 31st ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting, held in Luang Prabang on March 24 under the stewardship of Laos, laid out a comprehensive roadmap for the region’s socio-cultural development, focusing on connectivity and resilience.
After the meeting, ASEAN members unanimously agreed to identify nine strategic priorities under two sub-themes, “enhancing connectivity” and “enhancing resilience”, aimed at fostering economic integration, sustainable development, digital transformation, and cultural promotion within the ASEAN community.
A joint statement from the ASCC Council by Laos’ Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Mr Kao Kim Hourn, said the Council had pinpointed four key areas as strategic priorities for enhanced connectivity.
Memento Maxima Digital MarketingThe first of these is integrating and connecting economies to create a seamless ASEAN economic community through increased integration and connectivity.
The second is forging an inclusive and sustainable future committing to inclusive growth that ensures sustainability and prosperity for all ASEAN members.
Thirdly, transformation towards a digital future, emphasising the need to adapt to the digital revolution and leverage technology for economic and social advancement.
The fourth priority focuses on culture and the arts, with a focus on promoting the role of ASEAN culture and the arts for inclusion and sustainability, recognising the importance of cultural and artistic expression in fostering a sense of ASEAN identity and unity.
In terms of resilience, the Council focused on the development of strategic plans to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, enhancing ASEAN centrality, promoting environmental cooperation for climate change resilience, and advocating for the roles of women and children in transforming behaviorism within ASEAN.
Health development resilience in the new context was also a key priority, emphasising the need for preparedness and response to public health emergencies.
The Council expressed anticipation of ASEAN leaders’ adoption of the Vangvieng Declaration, which aims to promote small and medium-sized cultural enterprises aligned with green growth for sustainable development.
The declaration recognises the significant role of ASEAN culture and the arts in promoting inclusion and sustainability.
The importance of finalising the Establishment Agreement for the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases was reiterated, along with the significance of the first ASEAN Finance and Health Ministers’ Meeting in Jakarta as a foundation for stronger health and finance sector collaboration.
The Council commended efforts to combat fake news and disinformation through the ASEAN Guideline on Management of Government Information and looked forward to the Da Nang Declaration on Media, which aims to transform the information and media sector by 2035.
The ASCC Council Meeting concluded with a commitment to these strategic directions, aiming to foster a more connected and resilient ASEAN in the face of evolving global challenges.
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By Phonepaseuth Volakhoun
(Latest Update March 26, 2024)
