ASCC Council’s meeting issues Joint Ministerial Statement
Hanoi (VNA) – The virtual 23rd meeting of the ASEAN
Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council issued a Joint Ministerial Statement on
June 23.
Accordingly, the ASEAN Declaration on Human Resources Development for the Changing World of Work was endorsed.
The meeting reached consensus on the report
of the 23rd ASCC meeting to submit it to the 36th ASEAN
Summit scheduled for June 26.
Ministers extended their support to Vietnam’s
ASEAN Chairmanship’s areas of focus, including labour and human resources development; social welfare, health and development; communication and information; ASEAN culture, awareness and identity; environment and climate change; and the Mid-Term Review for the ASCC Pillar.
At a press conference held following the
meeting, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Quan said
discussions at the event suit the theme of ASEAN Year 2020 and five priorities,
including peace, security and stability; promotion of regional linkage and
connectivity, improvement of the capacity of adapting with and tapping
opportunities from the Fourth Industrial Revolution; promoting the community's awareness and ASEAN indentities; strengthening of
partnership for peace and sustainable development; and enhancement of
responsiveness and effectiveness of ASEAN apparatus.
He said ministers welcome initiatives
regarding promotion of cooperation in response to COVID-19 and encourage active
contributions by ASCC’s specialised agencies in the effort.
Ministers support Vietnam and ASEAN
Secretariat’s proposal to hold a series of webinars to cope with the pandemic,
he said.
According to him, the meeting acknowledged the sharing of ASEAN ministers and the ASEAN Secretary General on priorities and cooperation during the period of recovery from COVID-19, to set
orientations for the ASEAN Community’s activities this year and the next five
years, towards a cohesive ASEAN Community that is beneficial for all.
It was the first periodic meeting hosted by Vietnam's Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in its capacity as ASCC Chair
2020, attracting 10 ministers in charge of ASCC, the ASEAN Secretary General,
delegates from member countries, and the ASEAN Secretariat./.