Towards a Mobile and Connected ASEAN

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 vulnerab

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 a

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

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,

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 s

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 fi

“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 mor

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 Hara

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 celebrat

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 Indones

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 hav

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

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 duri

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