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

MALAYSIA ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP 2025 INCLUSIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY On 1 January 2025, Malaysia assumed the Chairmanship of ASEAN for the fifth time, marking a decade since its last leadership role. Coincidentally, this year marks the end of the ASEAN Comm

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

50 Years of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation

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

A group of mothers and grandmothers from Wates village, Majalengka, West Java, who bear the financial responsibility of keeping their households afloat, have banded together to form Mother Bank. Co-created by the artist Bunga Siagian, 37, Mother Bank i

At 76, Ngai Hin Kwok knows every turn of the trail at Singapore’s MacRitchie Reservoir. On even-numbered days, he laces up his running shoes and moves along the familiar path beneath a canopy of green. On odd-numbered days, he trades his running shoes

Sixty-eight-year-old Vanda Ou leads the Cambodian Ageing Network (CAN), a platform uniting organisations and stakeholders to improve the lives of older people in Cambodia.

It was a sweltering day in Brunei Darussalam in early May 2025. The “feels like” temperature in areas such as Bangar and Pekan Tutong reaches as high as 44 degrees Celsius. The Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department posted social media warnings an

Since its inception in 2007, Maya Dance Theatre (MDT) has been faithful to its philosophy: bridging the space between audience and artist to provoke thought and dialogue about pressing social issues. In 2018, MDT’s artistic director and co-founder, Kav