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​Source: Press Release RDIA_MCYS

Foto : Muhd Azinuddin - KKBS

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 08 Jamadilawal 1447 / 30 October 2025 – The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, today hosted the High-Level Forum on the Development of the Strategy Playbook on promoting an Adaptive ASEAN Community of Greater Understanding, Tolerance and Sense of Regional Agendas. The convening of this High Level Forum builds upon the Strategic Policy Framework on Promoting an Adaptive ASEAN Community of Greater Understanding, Tolerance and a Sense of Regional Agendas Among the Peoples of ASEAN, adopted at the 38th ASEAN Summit in 2021, during Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship; and as an initiative of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

The High-Level Forum served as an interactive platform for stakeholders to deliberate and provide inputs towards the refinement of the draft Strategy Playbook. The Forum gathered participants from ASEAN Member States, including representatives from the Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA), relevant ASCC sectoral bodies, as well as external experts and partners.

The first panel session was moderated by Yang Mulia Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari, Permanent Secretary (Community) of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; focused on the importance of strengthening multi stakeholder collaboration, gaining perspectives by panelists from the National Institute of Education of Cambodia; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam; ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly; and the ASEAN Secretariat. The second panel session was moderated by Dr. Anna Louise Strachan, from Bodhi Global Analysis; focusing on the role of youth, women, and creative peace-building to foster understanding, tolerance and a shared ASEAN identity by panelists from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia, Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Philippines, former Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), and President of Brunei Youth Council.

The Forum aims to provide additional inputs towards the development of the Strategy Playbook, to operationalise the Strategic Policy Framework by outlining pragmatic, forward-looking and action-oriented measures that can be implemented across the three pillars of ASEAN. The Playbook is envisioned to serve as a guiding document for ASEAN Member States, sectoral bodies, and partners in promoting a culture of peace, empathy, and inclusivity throughout the region.

The Forum also featured keynote addresses by His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN and Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, via video. Yang Berhormat Dato underscored the significance of the Forum as a collective platform for ASEAN to translate shared aspirations into concrete actions that strengthen understanding, inclusivity, and unity within the region. Yang Berhormat Dato reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s continued support for ASEAN’s ongoing initiatives to promote an adaptive and harmonious community that is resilient in the face of global challenges.

The convening of this High-Level Forum reaffirms ASEAN’s collective commitment to fostering understanding, unity, and a shared sense of belonging among its peoples, as the region continues to strengthen its resilience and identity in a rapidly changing global landscape.

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