Illustrative photo. (Source: AFP/VNA) “To ensure a resilient and sustainable ASEAN in line withthe ASEAN Community Blueprint 2025, we should be better prepared to mitigateand pre-empt the adverse impacts of climate change,” said Ekkaphab Phanthavong,Co-Chair of the 17th SOC-COM and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for theASEAN Socio Cultural Community (ASCC).
Speakers from ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and regional entitiesprovided updates on the progress of regional cooperation on climate change.Meanwhile, the Chair of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment reiterated ASEAN’scommitment to achieve a cohesive regional community that is climate resilient––– including strengthening of commitments by ASEAN member states to achievezero emission as conveyed during 26th UN Climate Change Conference of theParties.
Climate activities and initiatives undertaken by the ASEANCentre for Biodiversity were also discussed, particularly on the development ofthe first draft of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework which sets out atarget on minimizing the impact of climate change on biodiversity.
Promoting and strengthening partnerships and engagement withASEAN’s stakeholders, including the youth, was a recurrent theme across the climatebriefings and discussions.
The 17th SOC-COM also discussed issues of Financing forSustainability, and the potential synergies between the ASEAN EconomicCommunity and the ASCC in promoting sustainabledevelopment.
In closing, the Chair of SOCA, Hajah Nor Ashikin Binti HajiJohari underlined the prominent role of SOC-COM in enhancing cross-sectoral andcross-pillar coordination, especially in supporting ASEAN in its recovery fromthe COVID-19 pandemic, and move towards a sustainable and resilient community./.
In closing, the Chair of SOCA, Hajah Nor Ashikin Binti HajiJohari underlined the prominent role of SOC-COM in enhancing cross-sectoral andcross-pillar coordination, especially in supporting ASEAN in its recovery fromthe COVID-19 pandemic, and move towards a sustainable and resilient community./.
VNA
