Source : Press Release and Photos MCYS
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Friday, 06 Rabiulawal 1447 / 29 August 2025 – Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports attended the 12th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development which was held via video conference on 29 August 2025 with the theme, “Enhancing Responsive Social Protection for Vulnerable Groups in the ASEAN Community". The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Dr Soe Win, Union Minister, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Republic of the Union of Myanmar and attended by ASEAN Ministers responsible for social welfare and development and representative, and the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General.
The Ministers adopted The Joint Statement of the 12th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development. Amongst others, ministers were encouraged by the launch of the ASEAN Vision 2045: Our Shared Future, which aims to realise a people-centered ASEAN by 2045. Ministers agreed to support ASEAN's efforts in promoting responsive and adaptive social protection to strengthen resilience and well-being of the most vulnerable groups through inclusive policies and programmes across sectors and levels of governance, ensuring that no one is left behind.
In his statement, Yang Berhormat Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports shared that Brunei Darussalam continues to advance its social protection and development agenda anchored under the Brunei Darussalam Social Blueprint and aligned with Wawasan Brunei 2035. Initiatives including the digital National Welfare System (Sistem Kebajikan Negara) for efficient aid delivery, Strengthening of the Family Institution through the Plan of Action on the Family Institution and updates to the Child Online Protection Framework to address emerging risks such as cyberbullying and online exploitation were highlighted. Yang Berhormat Minister also reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam's commitment to fostering inclusive participation for persons with disabilities, guided by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Persons with Disabilities Act, while also advancing healthy and successful ageing through the National Action Plan on Successful Ageing 2025–2030, reflecting the nation's dedication to comprehensive and sustainable social protection for all.
Amongst others, the 12th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development also marked the conclusion of Brunei Darussalam's Chairmanship of The Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) chaired by Yang Mulia Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari, Permanent Secretary (Community), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, with the handover to Myanmar taking place at the 21st SOMSWD, held on 27 August 2025.
Preceding the meeting were the 3rd ASEAN Outstanding Social Welfare and Development Awards (AOSWADA) 2025. The Council for the Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities (MKOKU) received the NGO/CSO Award and An-Nur Harapan (Uniklearn) received the Private Sector Award, in recognition of their valuable contributions towards advancing social welfare and development in Brunei Darussalam. Through this Award, ASEAN acknowledges the significant role of non-state actors in advancing social protection for vulnerable communities.
The 8th ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD+3), held after the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development, brought together Ministers from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to enhancing ASEAN Plus Three cooperation and emphasized its complementary role within broader ASEAN-led frameworks.
Also attending the 12th AMMSWD and Related Meetings were Senior Officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
