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Source : Press Release & Photos MCYS

KUCHING, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA, 24 APRIL 2025 – Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, as the ASCC Council Minister for Brunei Darussalam, attended the 33rd ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting held on 23 to 24 April 2025 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The meeting was chaired by Yang Berhormat Dato' Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia and ASCC Chair 2025, and held under the overall ASEAN 2025 theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability".

In his statement, Yang Berhormat Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports among others, highlighted the need for ASEAN to strengthen its resilience, especially its peoples' resilience, as it continues to face a multitude of interconnected challenges and emerging risks, especially for vulnerable economies. In this regard, he welcomed the finalisation of the ASCC Strategic Plan, and emphasized focusing on the most impactful Strategic Measures first, to allow a more effective use of resources, including a more dedicated stakeholders' involvement. Yang Berhormat Minister also shared his views on strengthening cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination, and collaboration with ASCC partners, to contribute to the effective implementation of the ASCC Strategic Plan.

The ASCC Ministers have endorsed the ASCC Strategic Plan, and noted its submission to the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community's Post-2025 Vision to be submitted to the ASEAN Leaders. The ASCC Ministers also discussed the development of the ASCC Post-2025 Results Framework, which would translate to the meaningful implementation of the ASCC Strategic Plan.

The ASCC Ministers also exchanged views on the strategic directions for ASCC and encouraged the ASCC Sectoral Bodies to accelerate the implementation of their respective Work Plans. The ASCC Ministers also noted the progress of submission of several ASCC Documents which will be submitted to the ASEAN Leaders for adoption and notation at the 46th ASEAN Summit to be held in May 2025: (i) ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework, (ii) ASEAN Declaration on Drug Security and Self-Reliance, and (iii) Checklist on Fair Recruitment and Decent Employment for Migrant Workers.

The ASCC Ministers also met with Yang Amat Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier Sarawak on the sidelines of the meeting.

The 33rd ASCC Council Meeting was preceded by the 11th Ad-Hoc Working Group to Develop the ASCC Strategic Plan, and the 38th Senior Officials' Committee for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) Meeting held on 21 – 23 April 2025. Yang Berhormat Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports was accompanied by Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari, Permanent Secretary (Community), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as Brunei's SOCA Leader, and senior officials of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

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