Towards a Mobile and Connected ASEAN

About the Artist Donald Saluling is an artist, illustrator and graphic designer based in Jakarta, Indonesia. He was born and raised in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Donald received his double degree in Arts and Graphic Design from Portland State University in Oregon, USA. He worked as a senior graphic designer for consumer goods companies before going freelance in 2012. In 2009, his passion for drawing and painting led him to a public community called Indonesia’s Sketchers. He learned about urban sk

It is an honour to assume the role of Deputy Secretary-General of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) as the Lao PDR concludes its Chairmanship of the ASCC.

The impact of climate change has escalated globally, with an estimated 2.8 trillion US dollars in global loss and damage from 2000 to 2019, according to a 2023 study cited by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Southeast Asia, one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change impacts, has seen a surge in extreme weather events in recent years. This year, four powerful storm systems, including Super Typhoon Man-Yi, battered the Philippines in just ten days. Strong typhoons also recently hit T

Over the past few years, ASEAN has ramped up efforts to make sure that millions of intra-ASEAN migrant workers, who pay into their host country’s social security system, can bring their accrued benefits back home. In 2022, the region’s heads of state adopted the Declaration on Portability of Social Security Benefits for Migrant Workers in ASEAN, signalling their commitment to support the portability of social security contributions. Portability is defined as the ability of social security benefi

Under the Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” underscores a key priority for the region’s development: connectivity. Connectivity serves as a cornerstone of ASEAN’s regional integration efforts, a social-cultural glue, and a precondition for future prosperity. This focus on connectivity has proven especially pertinent as the region emerges from recent global challenges, demonstrating that a well-connected ASEAN is better positioned to na

The clock is ticking on the world’s climate goals. With Asia accounting for half of the world’s carbon emissions due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, the region is a deciding factor in the race to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2050.

Talent mobility, or the free movement of skilled labour across national borders, is a central tenet of ASEAN’s drive toward regional economic integration. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Vision 2025 includes facilitating the movement of investments, skilled labour, business professionals, and capital. To this end, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 outlines initiatives such as implementing mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) for skilled professionals, strengthening commitments under

Mr. Martin Kent and Ambassador Sarah Tiffin discuss how the UK and ASEAN are forging greater economic and people-to-people ties.

Like the rest of the world, Southeast Asia is undergoing a massive digital transformation. In most ASEAN Member States, internet penetration rate now exceeds 70 per cent, and internet users have surpassed 400 million (Jalli, 2024). Access to internet services in the ASEAN region has reached an average of 79.5 per 100 persons in 2021, double the reach just five years ago (ASEAN, 2022). The digital market in ASEAN has also grown significantly over the past three years, and now contributes 7 per ce

ASEAN is at the forefront of digitally transforming its financial services. Eight out of 10 ASEAN Member States have established and adopted low-cost national Quick Response (QR) payment channels, and consumers in ASEAN are rapidly embracing digital financial services, including digital payments.

“Prevention is key to building a connected and resilient ASEAN. By connecting people from diverse backgrounds and promoting open dialogues, we foster mutual understanding and respect. This inclusive approach strengthens social cohesion and builds a more resilient ASEAN, capable of preventing conflicts.” Mr. Khamphou Phiasackha Chair of the Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA)

Sixty students from prominent Indonesian universities came together for an insightful dialogue with women ambassadors from ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners. The participating universities included Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta, Binus University, University of Al-Azhar Indonesia, and Universitas Pertamina.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the ASEAN-Korea dialogue relations. The Republic of Korea established a Sectoral Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN in 1989 and was accorded full Dialogue Partner status by ASEAN in two years, in 1991. Upon celebrating the 35th ASEAN-ROK anniversary this year, I am happy to say that we have taken great strides forward in our mutually beneficial partnership encompassing all areas of the ASEAN Community, including the political, economic, and socio-cultural pil

K-pop may hold the global spotlight, but traditional Korean music is slowly finding its audience. Sometimes, with a bit of help from K-pop idols.

The ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO) is the proud winner of the ASEAN Prize 2024. A-Y-O is its abbreviation, but “ayo” is also a word in Bahasa Indonesia that means “let’s go!” or “come on!”. It is a fitting name for an organisation with roots in Indonesia that encourages collaboration and thrives on friendship among youth across Southeast Asia and beyond.  

As diplomats and those in the corridors of power do their jobs, how can ordinary citizens contribute to public diplomacy? While we cannot participate in ministerial talks and high-level summits, ordinary citizens and incredibly creative communities have the potential to contribute in enhancing relationships between India and other countries.

Twenty visual artists from ASEAN Member States and India gathered in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in 2022 to participate in the second ASEAN-India Artists’ Camp, centring on the theme “Oceans of Connectivity.” The camp was supported by the ASEAN-India Fund and implemented with the assistance of the SEHER Foundation, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting music, dance, visual arts, theatre, and cinema.

As the world came together to celebrate World Tourism Day on 27th September, the theme “Tourism and Peace” took centre stage, underscoring tourism’s profound role in fostering understanding, unity, and peace among diverse cultures and communities.

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 during this period, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange, environmental sustainability, strengthened health systems, and the protection of women and children. The Minister sheds light on the challenges faced and the opportunities that lie a

The ASEAN asked some of our ASEAN youth to share their motivations for studying and experience studying in a neighbouring ASEAN country. The respondents also reflect on how the experience shaped their perspectives of ASEAN and influenced their sense of regional identity.