KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) successfully hosted the special meeting of Senior Officials’ Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) on the ASCC Strategic Plan and SOCA Retreat at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort, Johor, on Tuesday.
The event was attended by 11 SOCA leaders from ASEAN Member States (AMS), with Timor-Leste participating as an observer country.
In line with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, MOTAC, as the lead of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) pillar, has outlined five priority areas and deliverables, including arts and culture, health, youth and sports, artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation, as well as green jobs and climate action.
Together with the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) and ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASCC plays a pivotal role in shaping ASEAN’s direction for the next 20 years.
Guided by the ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045, the Ad Hoc Working Group to Develop the ASCC Strategic Plan has conducted a series of consultations with the chairs and representatives of the ASCC Sectoral Bodies, ASEAN Centres, think tanks and research organisations, ASEAN-accredited civil society organisations, as well as the Committee of Permanent Representatives, dialogue partners, development partners, and external partners.
Additionally, a High-Level Interface was held with Parliamentarians, ASCC Eminent Persons, and chairs and representatives of ASCC Sectoral Ministerial Bodies to gather recommendations and guidance.
In addition to endorsing the ASCC Strategic Plan, which will be adopted at the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025, the meeting also discussed the partial and initial interim findings of the End-Term Review of the ASCC Blueprint 2025.
The meeting also endorsed the proposed draft Rules of Procedure for the ASCC Secondment Officers.
The Special Meeting of the Senior Officials’ Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) on the ASCC Strategic Plan and SOCA Retreat was officially opened by the secretary-general of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Datuk Wira Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman.
