The Philippines, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has called for stronger cross-sectoral and cross-pillar cooperation within ASEAN to address interconnected social challenges and ensure regional policies adapt to changing community needs.
DSWD Undersecretary Adonis Sulit, who chairs the ASEAN Senior Officials Committee for the Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA), made the appeal during the 22nd Coordinating Conference on the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOC-COM) on Tuesday, August 11, at the Philippine International Convention Center.
“This new chapter calls for a renewed commitment to working across sectors and pillars. The issues before us today, including sustainable development, the care economy, One Health, migrant workers, disability inclusion, gender mainstreaming, the blue economy, the circular economy, early childhood development, the creative economy and the culture of prevention, are deeply interconnected,” Sulit said.
Highlighting the rollout of the ASCC Strategic Plan under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, Sulit emphasized the necessity of unified regional action.
“Addressing them requires coordinated action, stronger partnerships, and a whole of ASEAN approach that draws upon the collective strengths of our sectoral bodies and all three ASEAN Community pillars and the ASEAN Connectivity,” he noted.
Chaired by ASEAN Secretariat Deputy Secretary-General San Lwin, the SOC-COM serves as the principal coordinating body for cross-sectoral priorities. Sulit stressed that the conference’s outcomes would support the Philippines’ priorities as ASEAN Chair for 2026.
“Our deliberations today will help shape the implementation of the ASCC Strategic Plan, strengthen cross-pillar cooperation, enhance our coordination mechanisms, and advance the Philippines’ priorities as ASEAN Chair for 2026 in ways that deliver meaningful and lasting benefits to the peoples of ASEAN,” Sulit concluded, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready ASEAN Community.