Articles Category: ASEAN Identity and Community Building

The 8th of August has always been a festive and eagerly anticipated day at the ASEAN Secretariat: the ASEAN Day Celebration. The theme of the 58th ASEAN Day, “Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable ASEAN Future,” reflects Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship th

Amidst global transformation, geo-economic shifts, climate change, rapid urbanisation, digital transformation, and ageing populations continue to impact people’s lives in ASEAN. Responding to and leveraging these developments will be crucial to realisi

With the commitment that “people are at the centre of ASEAN,” the ASCC takes a bold step in advancing a people-centred, people-oriented, and inclusive Community that prioritises people’s well-being and quality of life amid evolving regional and global

Formally launched in 2015, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) is one of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, as envisioned in the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II). The ASCC is often touted as the “People’s Pillar” because t

The genesis of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 The Ha Noi Declaration on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision paved the roadmap for the development of a Post- 2025 Vision, which led the establishment of a High-Level Task Force (HLTF). Guided by a wel

This year, ASEAN has embarked on a momentous journey towards ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future—an ASEAN that is resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred. On the one hand, “Shared Future” refers to what is envisioned, which, as I said, is a resili

Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket discusses the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Achievements under the Lao PDR’s Chairmanship theme, “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” She delves into the key achievements and initiatives implemented duri

On 11 October 2024, Ekkaphab Phanthavong officially completes his tenure as the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Before assuming his role at the ASEAN Secretariat, he was the Ambassador/Permanent Representative

Philippine Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, who serves as ALMM Chair, discusses two new ASEAN declarations that champion the rights and welfare of migrant workers and their families. He also describes a Philippine-led public campaign to raise aware

50 Years of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation

India assumed the presidency of the G20 in December 2022 and is set to host the G20 Summit in 2023 after year-long deliberations on macroeconomic issues and inter-alia trade, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, and climat

With the adoption of the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, we continue to be in conversation with people in the region on their hopes and concerns for the future. The ASEAN aimed to involve various perspectives in this endeavour, reaching out extensively

As the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community maps its vision to respond to trends and challenges in the next twenty years, The ASEAN continues the conversation on people’s concerns and hopes for the future. The team aimed to involve various perspectives in th

There are about 260,000 migrant domestic workers in Singapore, many of them are from neighbouring countries like the Philippines and Indonesia. Finding heartwarming stories about employers and workers in a sea of migrant workers may seem like digging f