At the irst meeting of the ASCC in Hanoi on January 7 (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community(ASCC) serves as a solid foundation to promote connectivity within the bloc inthe most natural way, said Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs DaoNgoc Dung on January 7.
Chairing the first meeting of the ASCC in Hanoi, Dung laid a stress on fourpriorities of the ASCC in the ASEAN 2020, including enhancing regionalconnectivity, raising public awareness of the ASEAN Community and identity,promoting partnership for peace and sustainable development, and improvingASEAN’s response capacity and operation efficiency.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) will engage in 33activities within the ASEAN 2020, comprising 10 of the ASCC, 15 in laboursector, five in social welfare, two in women, and one of the ASEAN Commissionon the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC).
Particularly, the ASCC’s coordinating conference held inDa Nang city in April, and the 21st ASCC Council Meeting scheduledin Ho Chi Minh City for October will look to recommend two high-levelannouncements on human resources development and social works in ASEAN, Dungadded.
He asked competent sub-committees to pen detailed plans, organise events atrational costs, and work to ensure safety for participants.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, who is also SecretaryGeneral of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee and head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam,said that the MoLISA plays an important coordinating role in the ASCC in 2020,describing the ASCC as a decisive factor in the development of the ASEANCommunity.
The ministry has been on the right track, showing its thorough understanding ofASEAN, and known how to optimise available resources, he said.
Vietnam hasselected the theme “Cohesive and Responsive” for ASEAN 2020, and receivedstrong support from ASEAN member states and partners, Dung said, holding thetwo elements are interdependent and complimentary.
Under the theme,Vietnam will promote five priorities during its chairmanship year, includingstrengthening ASEAN solidarity and unity, promoting regional connectivity andadaptability to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, fostering awareness of theASEAN community and identity, stepping up partnerships for peace andsustainable development, and improving the adaptability and operationalefficiency of the ASEAN apparatus./.
VNA
