VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy chaired the 30th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council (ASCC) Meeting that discussed various socio-cultural issues faced by countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"Today, we held a meeting in relation to (ASEAN's) socio-cultural pillars that will be adopted at the 43rd ASEAN, which is scheduled to take place in Jakarta in September," Minister Effendy remarked at a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Several figures, including Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn and several ministers from ASEAN countries, participated in the meeting.

Tuesday's meeting constitutes the second ASCC meeting held under Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship this year, while the first one, or the 29th ASCC Meeting, was held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on May 8.

Meanwhile, the 43rd ASEAN Summit will be the second summit to be held this year. The previous summit took place on May 9-11 in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, following the 29th ASCC Meeting.

At the press conference, Joko Kusnanto Anggoro, the minister's special staff for international cooperation, highlighted that under Indonesia's chairmanship this year, ASEAN countries have been prolific in convening declarations and joint statements regarding efforts to address socio-cultural issues in the Southeast Asian region.

"The declarations and statements made resonate with domestic programs, particularly those linked with efforts aimed at alleviating poverty and stunting, realizing equitable development, as well as addressing issues related to gender and others," he stated.

He further noted that the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs will outline its domestic programs to ASEAN countries, with the objective of implementing the program at the ASEAN level.

Furthermore, he affirmed that the ministry will strive to push ASEAN countries to continue to pay close attention to socio-cultural issues.

"In 2023 and 2024, we aim to be more active in ASEAN to promote the urgency to address socio-cultural issues," Anggoro remarked.

He also expressed hope that the next chairs of ASEAN will follow in Indonesia's footsteps in promoting the need to invest significant efforts to solve such issues in the region. (Antaranews)