Coordinating Minister For Human Development And Culture Leads The 29th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Pillar Council Session

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy chaired the session of the 29th ASEAN Social Cultural Pillar Council (The 29th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community/ASCC) in Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA/ Zubi Mahrofi)

NUSA Dua - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy chaired the session of the 29th ASEAN Social Cultural Pillar Council (The 29th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community/ASCC) in Nusa Dua, Bali.

The trial discussed the declaration of the Socio-Cultural Pillar which will be ratified by ASEAN leaders at the 42nd ASEAN Summit (KTT) on 9-11 May 2023 in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Coordinating Minister Muhadjir gave directions on the main priority of the ASEAN Social Cultural Pillar under the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".

"As a pillar of the people, I believe that it is important to translate the ASEAN Matters theme and reflect on the relevance of ASEAN for the people. This can only be achieved by ensuring that ASEAN's inclusiveness really involves, connects, and maintains ASEAN's presence at the grassroots level, because after all they are the people we serve," said MuhadjirEffendy as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 8.

In supporting the theme of Indonesian Chairship, Muhadjir said the ASEAN Cultural Social Pillar submitted four commitment documents with ASEAN, namely the One Health issue, the ASEAN village network, the protection of migrant workers in crisis situations, and migrant workers, especially migrant fishermen, as an effort to advance ASEAN which is inclusive and remains relevant to the development of global issues.

In the ASCC Council of Ministers session, Coordinating Minister Muhadjir also highlighted several important priorities, namely strengthening the protection of migrant workers, accelerating education and technical and vocational training to improve the future skills of the ASEAN youth.

Then accelerate rural development and poverty alleviation through the network between ASEAN villages, strengthen regional efforts to promote development that is inclusively disabled in its region, strengthen ASEAN's health architecture, and increase the role and participation of persons with disabilities.

"I hope to work with you to support Indonesia in the Chairship of ASEAN 2023," said Coordinating Minister Muhadjir.

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture believes that this trial will be a good start for the Cultural Social Pillars to achieve a strong, sustainable, and inclusive ASEAN as they aspire to.

The 29th ASCC session was attended by the Minister of the ASEAN Social Cultural Pillars, including the Minister of Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, the Secretary General of ASEAN, as well as officials representing the Ministers of Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

The trial also welcomed the involvement of the Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity and Timor Leste Signi Inclusion Chandrawati Verdial as an observer, and reiterated joining ASEAN.