Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA)held a national conference in Ho Chi Minh City on September 28 to discuss theimplementation of a project on building and implementing an action plan to realise goalsof the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) until 2025 (Project 161), in both in-person and online format.
The annual event brought together the ASEANSecretariat in Indonesia, the MoLISA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, theMinistry of Industry and Trade, the Government Office, and various ministriesand agencies within the ASCC in Vietnam, along with leaders from southerncities and provinces.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister ofLabour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha said during 2021-2022, the MoLISAworked closely with ministries, agencies and localities to complete the action planto carry out the Project 161, with the majority of the goals outlined in the ASCCbeing incorporated in the five-yearand ten-year development plans of each ministry, sector, and locality.
However, the implementation is yet to meetschedule during 2021-2023 due to COVID-19, the lack of resources and knowledgeabout ASEAN and integration, she admitted.
She said the event should share knowledge aboutintegration issues in general and integration in specific interdisciplinaryfields such as labour, social affairs, environment, the connection betweeneconomic integration and social issues in the new context and the linkages betweennational, regional, and global integration, so as to raise awareness of officials atthe central and local levels.
From Jakarta, Benjamin Loh of the ASEAN Secretariat shared insights online about ASEAN and the priorities ofthe ASCC for 2021-2025. During his presentation, he highlighted the implementationof the ASCC 2025 Master Plan, preparation of documents on ASCC's post-2025orientations, and the priorities and documents of the ASCC during Indonesia's ASEANChairmanship Year 2023.
Delegates at the event agreed with a proposalto prioritise the allocation of resources, human capital, and financial supporttowards enhancing communication efforts about the Project 161 and general ASEANcooperation during the upcoming implementation.
They also learned about the status of ASEANcooperation in each specialised field and the emerging issues related tonational priorities./.
