LUANG PRABANG, LAO PDR, 13 Ramadan 1445 / 24 March 2024 – Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, attended the 31st ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting from 23rd to 24th March 2024 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.

The meeting, themed “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience" was chaired by Her Excellency Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Lao PDR, as the ASCC Council Chair 2024 and attended by ASCC Ministers or representatives and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. Timor-Leste was also present as observer. The 31st ASCC Council Meeting was preceded by the 2nd Ad-Hoc Working Group to Develop ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan and the 36th Senior Officials Committee for the ASCC (SOCA) held on 21st to 23rd March 2024.

During the meeting, the ASCC Ministers exchanged views on the strategic directions of the ASCC Pillar, particularly on the development of the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan. Among others, Yang Berhormat Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports underscored the significant role of ASEAN culture and the arts in harnessing the potential of culture in the development of ASEAN, by empowering community-driven cultural enterprises, which would further unlock innovation and creativity for the benefit of ASEAN.

Yang Berhormat Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports also attended the ASCC Council's Interface with the Ministers of ASCC Sectoral Bodies of Lao PDR for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, whereby the 31st ASCC Council Meeting noted the views and recommendations of the ASCC Sectoral Bodies Ministers. At the end the meeting, the ASCC Ministers commended the successful development and launching of the ASCC Database for Monitoring and Evaluation (ADME) System, which underscored the vital role of evidence-based data for ASCC policy-making, planning and implementation of initiatives, and strengthening partnerships and cooperation.

Yang Berhormat Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports was accompanied senior officials of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam.​