JAKARTA/BANGKOK – As the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) celebrates its 10th anniversary, it stands as a pillar of unity, development, and shared identity within Southeast Asia. Since its formal establishment on November 21, 2015, under the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, the ASCC has significantly shaped the human-centric vision of ASEAN, complementing the other two pillars of the ASEAN Community: the Political-Security and Economic Communities.
Initially guided by the 2009–2015 Blueprint and succeeded by the ASCC Blueprint 2025, the ASCC has become a driving force in integrating the region’s diverse societies through inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development policies.
Strengthening Regional Solidarity and Identity
The ASCC’s key goal has been to build a caring and sharing ASEAN community—one that ensures social welfare, fosters regional identity, and empowers all citizens. Through strategic blueprints, regional initiatives, and measurable frameworks such as the ASCC Scorecard and the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System, the ASCC has worked to translate declarations into tangible outcomes. These efforts have strengthened solidarity within ASEAN, especially amid increasing geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties.
The ASEAN Youth Development Index 2022 highlighted a rise in cultural identity awareness among ASEAN youth, with all ten member states scoring above 0.5 in regional cultural identity metrics. Flagship projects like the ASEAN Cultural Heritage Digital Archive (ACHDA) and cultural partnerships with Korea, Japan, and China have further reinforced ASEAN’s shared identity.
Social Progress: Education, Health, and Inclusion
The ASCC has advanced the social agenda across education, health, and equal opportunities. Gender parity in literacy has improved, especially in Cambodia, and vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities and people with disabilities, now benefit from targeted national education and employment programs. For instance, Vietnam has integrated inclusive vocational training into its national development strategy.
Brunei, Laos, and others have implemented specialized support systems for disadvantaged groups, while ASEAN’s regional cooperation mechanisms have increased employment access through initiatives like the Working Group on Disability Inclusion and Social Protection Guidelines.
Environmental and Sustainable Development
Sustainability is another cornerstone of the ASCC. Over 360 activities have been conducted under the “Sustainable Community” theme, with a focus on biodiversity, sustainable cities, and the circular economy. In partnership with international bodies like the UNFCCC and the Global Environment Facility, ASEAN has supported national climate pledges and launched sustainable urban development programs such as the ASEAN Smart Cities Network.
Notably, eco-industrial park models in Vietnam have demonstrated economic and environmental gains, showcasing effective resource use and waste reduction.
Responding to Crises and Building Resilience
Under the “Resilient Community” mandate, ASEAN has strengthened regional responses to natural disasters and health emergencies. The legally binding ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management (AADMER) and the AHA Centre are now key structures for crisis response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 200 capacity-building activities were implemented under the Public Health Emergency Strategic Framework 2022.
Social safety nets and climate adaptation policies, particularly those addressing women, children, the elderly, and migrants, have also been rolled out to build long-term community resilience.
A Decade of Progress – and the Road Ahead
Ten years on, the ASCC has transformed the social and cultural dimensions of regional integration. From fostering civic participation through youth forums and civil society engagement to advancing inclusive education and disaster preparedness, ASCC initiatives have become foundational in the broader ASEAN vision.
Challenges remain, but with 65% of its 2025 Blueprint actions already completed or underway, the ASCC’s trajectory points to a more united, people-oriented ASEAN. As Secretary-General of ASEAN recently emphasized, “The ASCC has turned community aspirations into actionable progress, lighting the way toward a sustainable and resilient future for all ASEAN peoples.” (zai)