SOCA Malaysia, ASEAN Secretariat prepare for 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship of the ASCC

PUTRAJAYA, 15 July 2024 - The ASEAN Secretariat, led by Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Ekkaphab Phanthavong had a consultation meeting with the Senior Officials Committee for the ASCC (SOCA) Leader of Malaysia and ASCC Sectoral Bodies on 15-16 July in Putrajaya to discuss the priorities and deliverables for Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship of the ASCC in 2025.

The consultation discussed the indicative list of ASCC priorities, outcome documents and activities for Malaysia's ASCC Chairmanship in 2025. It also served as a venue for the ASCC Sectoral Bodies of Malaysia to exchange views with the ASEAN Secretariat particularly on identifying flagship programmes in line with the overall ASEAN Chairmanship theme and the preparation of outcome documents for endorsement to the ASCC Council and subsequently to the ASEAN Leaders.

Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and SOCA Leader of Malaysia, YBhg Dato' Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman shared that the consultation meeting provides the necessary assistance as well as information needed by Malaysia before they assume their ASCC Chairmanship. He also underscored the importance of increasing public awareness for ASCC particularly in light of emerging socio-economic trends.

DSG Ekkaphab Phanthavong emphasised the importance of Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship year especially in light of the conclusion of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, and adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans. He further highlighted the need to intensify communication and engagement strategies to popularise the ASCC work and milestones, as well as increase awareness of the region on ASEAN and the ASCC.

The consultation meeting also included courtesy calls by the DSG ASCC on the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Minister of Health, Minister of Natural Resources and Sustainability, and the Undersecretary of the International Division of the Ministry of Human Resources.

The courtesy calls highlighted the importance of early preparation in the delivery of outcome documents and conduct of activities in the areas of health, environment and climate change, transboundary haze and upskilling and reskilling of workers, and ways on how the ASEAN Secretariat and the Ministries can work together to ensure the successful ASCC Chairmanship of Malaysia.

The consultation meeting is part of the ASEAN Secretariat's support for the preparation of the ASEAN Chairmanship for ASCC.

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