ASEAN’s cooperation on advancing gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls sits squarely within the region’s ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and intersects with current and emerging challenges, such as demographic shifts, digitalisation of the region, and security issues, among others. With ASEAN asserting its central and strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region, there are widening spaces for women and girls to amplify their voices and for robust, substantive and meaningful representation in building a gender-transformative and resilient ASEAN Community.
Minister I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati talks to The ASEAN about the regional frameworks and plans that embody ASEAN’s strategies for empowering and improving the well-being of women and girls in the region. She also talks about why Indonesia is encouraging countries to adopt the Women- and Children-Friendly City initiative.
The 20th century saw the gradual waning of the popularity of the traditional clothing, such as the sarong, in ASEAN metropolitan cities.
What is ASEAN identity? ASEAN culture ministers and senior officials have spent the past two years grappling with the question. They coalesced around the idea that ASEAN identity is derived from two sources. One, the historical connections and common cultural traits passed on through generations, and two, the values and goals agreed upon by the Member States and enshrined in the ASEAN charter.
This policy brief recommends a focus on institutions, financing, and technology to improve disaster resilience
Key facts and figures from the ASCC Fact Sheet, produced and published by the ASCC Analysis Division
The Senior Officials Committee for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) is a senior official body that meets at least twice a year, hosted by the ASEAN Chair of the year. Aside from the regular meeting, special or emergency meetings, such as the SOCA Retreat on 28 February 2023, it may be held to discuss a particular topic with the approval of all ASEAN Member States.
The Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) held its retreat on 28 February 2023. The meeting was chaired by Professor Warsito, Deputy
Minister for Education Quality Improvement and Religious Moderation, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Indonesia and SOCA Chair.
The SOCA Leaders discussed ASEAN’s priorities, including the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) priority areas and deliverables under Indonesia’s Chairmanship theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”.
Sixteen journalists and media officials from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam travelled to New Delhi and Hyderabad, India, between 9 and 15 February 2023 as part of the ASEAN-India Media Exchange Programme 2018-2024.
