THE 34TH ASEAN SOCIO CULTURAL COMMUNITY (ASCC) COUNCIL MEETING AND RELATED MEETINGS
PETALING JAYA, 8 October 2025 – The 34th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting convened today at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Malaysia. The Meeting was chaired by the Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia. It was attended by all ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Timor-Leste as an Observer.
The Meeting reaffirmed their collective commitment to advance the ASCC vision of a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN corresponding with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The Meeting also congratulated Malaysia on the realisation of its priorities under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship with the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” which underscores ASEAN’s commitment to intensify and reinforce its efforts in ensuring inclusive and sustainable development and progress in the region. The meeting noted Malaysia’s initiatives that further strengthen unity and cultural identity, while aligning with Malaysia’s MADANI values of Sustainability, Care and Compassion, Respect, Innovation, Prosperity and Trust.
The meeting emphasised on the importance of fostering cultural cooperation, promoting sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities, and deepening appreciation of ASEAN’s shared heritage as key drivers for community-building and regional solidarity.
At the meeting, the ASCC Council affirmed its support for key priorities under the ASCC Chairmanship of Malaysia as follows:
i. Cultural Heritage for Value Creation
ii. Artificial Intelligence, Digitalisation and Green Jobs towards Future Proofing Skills and Talents for ASEAN
iii. Healthy ASEAN Initiatives Towards a Prosperous ASEAN
iv. Youth and Sports Potential for All to Foster Growth, Unity and Excellence
v. Climate Action for Stewardship, Partnership and Ownership.
The Meeting also noted the various cross-pillar and cross-sectoral initiatives being undertaken by the ASCC, including Ending Child Labour and Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers; ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security; ASEAN Development Outlook Volume 2; ASEAN Comprehensive Framework on Care Economy; ASEAN One Health Joint Plan of Action and ASEAN One Health Network; ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Early Childhood Care and Education in Southeast Asia and Vientiane Statement on Equity, Access, and Environment for Advancing Climate Resilience in ECCE; ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework; ASCC Research and Development Platform Programme; and the Strategy Playbook on Promoting an Adaptive ASEAN Community of Greater Understanding, Tolerance and a Sense of Regional Agendas among the Peoples of ASEAN.
The ASCC Council Ministers welcomed and expressed support for the ASEAN Leaders’ decision at the 46th ASEAN Summit to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th Member of ASEAN at the 47th ASEAN Summit this October 2025.
The Meeting expressed their congratulations to Malaysia for successfully chairing the 33rd and 34th ASCC Council Meeting this year under the Malaysian Chairmanship. Malaysia is committed to supporting the development of the ASEAN people pillar. [more info]
The Meeting reaffirmed their collective commitment to advance the ASCC vision of a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN corresponding with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The Meeting also congratulated Malaysia on the realisation of its priorities under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship with the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” which underscores ASEAN’s commitment to intensify and reinforce its efforts in ensuring inclusive and sustainable development and progress in the region. The meeting noted Malaysia’s initiatives that further strengthen unity and cultural identity, while aligning with Malaysia’s MADANI values of Sustainability, Care and Compassion, Respect, Innovation, Prosperity and Trust.
The meeting emphasised on the importance of fostering cultural cooperation, promoting sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities, and deepening appreciation of ASEAN’s shared heritage as key drivers for community-building and regional solidarity.
At the meeting, the ASCC Council affirmed its support for key priorities under the ASCC Chairmanship of Malaysia as follows:
i. Cultural Heritage for Value Creation
ii. Artificial Intelligence, Digitalisation and Green Jobs towards Future Proofing Skills and Talents for ASEAN
iii. Healthy ASEAN Initiatives Towards a Prosperous ASEAN
iv. Youth and Sports Potential for All to Foster Growth, Unity and Excellence
v. Climate Action for Stewardship, Partnership and Ownership.
The Meeting also noted the various cross-pillar and cross-sectoral initiatives being undertaken by the ASCC, including Ending Child Labour and Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers; ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security; ASEAN Development Outlook Volume 2; ASEAN Comprehensive Framework on Care Economy; ASEAN One Health Joint Plan of Action and ASEAN One Health Network; ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Early Childhood Care and Education in Southeast Asia and Vientiane Statement on Equity, Access, and Environment for Advancing Climate Resilience in ECCE; ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework; ASCC Research and Development Platform Programme; and the Strategy Playbook on Promoting an Adaptive ASEAN Community of Greater Understanding, Tolerance and a Sense of Regional Agendas among the Peoples of ASEAN.
The ASCC Council Ministers welcomed and expressed support for the ASEAN Leaders’ decision at the 46th ASEAN Summit to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th Member of ASEAN at the 47th ASEAN Summit this October 2025.
The Meeting expressed their congratulations to Malaysia for successfully chairing the 33rd and 34th ASCC Council Meeting this year under the Malaysian Chairmanship. Malaysia is committed to supporting the development of the ASEAN people pillar. [more info]
Issued by: Unit Komunikasi Korporat
KEMENTERIAN PELANCONGAN, SENI DAN BUDAYA (MOTAC)
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