Jakarta (VNA) – The 29th ASEAN Socio-CulturalCommunity (ASCC) Council Meeting took place in Bali, Indonesia, on May 7-8, withparticipants reaffirming their commitments to work together to realise prioritiesin the ASEAN Community’s socio-cultural pillar with people-centred initiatives.

Dr Muhadjir Effendy, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for HumanDevelopment and Culture, and Chair of the ASCC Council, briefed themeeting on key ASCC priorities under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum ofGrowth.”

The council agreed to submit to the 42nd ASEAN Summit fourdocuments related to One Health Initiative; the establishment of the ASEAN Village Network; protection of migrant workers and family members in crisissituations; and the placementand protection of migrant fishers.

As the region emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, thecouncil welcomed the priority to strengthen the regional health architectureand commended the inclusion of the ASEANLeaders’ Declaration on One Health Initiative in the list ofoutcome documents for adoption at the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

Strengthening social protection for migrant workers,especially those in crisis situations, is also a priority under Indonesia’sASEAN Chairmanship this year. The council welcomed the development of the ASEAN Declaration on Migrant Workers andFamily Members in Crisis Situations and the ASEAN Declaration on the Placement andProtection of Migrant Fishers, both of which reaffirm ASEAN’s commitmentto better safeguard and strengthen migrant workers’ resilience.

Another key deliverable under the ASCC Pillar is thestrengthening of village cooperation. The ASEAN’s Leaders’ Statement on the Establishment of the ASEAN VillageNetwork will accelerate village development and introduce aregion-wide network in which villages can exchange knowledge and explorepartnership opportunities.

The council also welcomed Timor-Leste Vice-Minister ofSocial Solidarity Signi Chandrawati Verdial’s involvement in the meeting as anobserver and reiterated its support for Timor-Leste’s preparations to joinASEAN.

The initiatives to be adopted and noted by the leaders thisyear reflect the ASCC’s relevance and strong leadership in ensuring that ASEAN remainson course to deliver people-oriented and people-centred initiatives despitechallenging times, said ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.

The 29th ASCC Council Meeting was held back-to-back with the42nd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings scheduled on May  9-11 in LabuanBajo, Indonesia./.