The ASEAN Secretariat recently held the 2023 ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Knowledge Forum on 7 May 2023 with a theme, “Addressing Gaps and Rethinking Pathways to Eradicate Poverty in ASEAN,” at Nusa Dua, Badung District, Bali, Indonesia. The forum served as a platform for formulating ideas and strategic measures to eradicate poverty in the region. It was attended by the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Additionally, Dr. Muhadjir Effendy, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) and Chair of ASCC, delivered remarks and briefed the meeting’s priorities.
AsiaDHRRA’s Program Officer, Mr. Affan Firmansiyah, participated in a discussion on “Lessons Learned on Eliminating Poverty and Ways Forward to Inclusive and Sustainable ASEAN Community.”
The gathering fully supported Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship with the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.” But, more importantly, the meeting looked forward to the following: Realizing the priorities of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar, ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on One Health Initiative; the importance of continued empowerment of people in rural areas to support sustainable development and poverty eradication; ongoing development of ASEAN Guidelines on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Family Members in Crisis Situations; and the efforts to address climate change and transboundary haze pollution.
Moreover, the assembly highlighted the pivotal role of Youth in addressing future challenges and the successful convening of ASEAN Youth Dialogue (AYD) 2023 on Digitalization for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Furthermore, the meeting acknowledged Women’s vital and inclusive role in sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework.
