At the 23rd ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council meeting (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The virtual 23rd meeting of the ASEANSocio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council issued a Joint Ministerial Statement onJune 23.

Accordingly, the ASEAN Declaration on Human Resources Development for the Changing World of Work was endorsed.

The meeting reached consensus on the reportof the 23rd ASCC meeting to submit it to the 36th ASEANSummit scheduled for June 26.

Ministers extended their support to Vietnam’sASEAN Chairmanship’s areas of focus, including labour and human resources development; social welfare, health and development; communication and information; ASEAN culture, awareness and identity; environment and climate change; and the Mid-Term Review for the ASCC Pillar.

At a press conference held following themeeting, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Quan saiddiscussions at the event suit the theme of ASEAN Year 2020 and five priorities,including peace, security and stability; promotion of regional linkage andconnectivity, improvement of the capacity of adapting with and tappingopportunities from the Fourth Industrial Revolution; promoting the community's awareness and ASEAN indentities; strengthening ofpartnership for peace and sustainable development; and enhancement ofresponsiveness and effectiveness of ASEAN apparatus.

He said ministers welcome initiativesregarding promotion of cooperation in response to COVID-19 and encourage activecontributions by ASCC’s specialised agencies in the effort.

Ministers support Vietnam and ASEANSecretariat’s proposal to hold a series of webinars to cope with the pandemic,he said.

According to him, the meeting acknowledged the sharing of ASEAN ministers and the ASEAN Secretary General on priorities and cooperation during the period of recovery from COVID-19, to setorientations for the ASEAN Community’s activities this year and the next fiveyears, towards a cohesive ASEAN Community that is beneficial for all.

It was the first periodic meeting hosted by Vietnam's Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in its cap✅acity as ASCC Chair2020, attracting 10 ministers in c🐻harge of ASCC, the ASEAN Secretary General,delegates from member countries, and the ASEAN Secretariat./.