Senior officials in charge of cultural and social affairs from ASEAN’s member states gathered together at the 15 th Meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), which opened in Laos’ Luang Prabang province on June 4.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep led the Vietnamese delegation to the event.

Photo for illustration. Source: asean.org

In his opening speech, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith stressed that participants will examine crucial documents to submit to ASEAN leaders for approval in the 28 th ASEAN Summit, especially the Vientiane Declaration on the Transition from Informal Employment to Formal Employment towards Decent Work Promotion in ASEAN and the Vientiane Declaration on Reinforcing Cultural Heritage Cooperation in ASEAN.

Thongloun Sisoulith said cooperation in the c ultural-social pillar within ASEAN recorded remarkable achievements, especially successfully implementing the ASCC Master Plan in 2009-2015.

He expressed his hope that officials attending the meeting will continue working to effectively support and supervise the implementation of the ASCC Master Plan 2016-2025, thus contributing to realising the ASEAN Vision 2025.

Participants will also consider ASCC’s priorities in Laos's ASEAN 2016 Chairmanship year , the implementation of the ASCC Master Plan to 2025 and relevant issues.

A joint statement on issues discussed is scheduled to be issued after the meeting.

Source: VNA