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Press Briefing on the First Meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council
Thailand hosted the First Meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural
Community (ASCC) Council during 22-24 August 2009 at Four Seasons Hotel,
Bangkok. This was the first meeting of the socio-cultural community pillar
following the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter since 15 December 2008.
During 22-23 August was the preparatory meeting of the ASCC Council with the
Ministerial Meeting on 24 August 2009.
The First Meeting of the ASCC Council was chaired by His
Excellency Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of
Thailand and Thai National Representative to the ASCC Council. Representatives
of ASEAN Member States include Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna of
Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Mr. Sun Chanthol of the Kingdom of
Cambodia, His Excellency Mr. Kusmayanto Kadiman of the Republic of Indonesia,
His Excellency Mr. Mounkeo Oraboun of Lao PDR, Her Excellency Heng Seai
Kie of Malaysia, His Excellency Brig-General Aung Myo Min of the Union of
Myanmar, Her Excellency Esperanza I. Cabral, M.D. of the Philippines, His
Excellency Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan of the Republic of Singapore, Her Excellency
Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and His Excellency
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
The Meeting shared views on how to promote a better understanding
among the peoples of ASEAN based on the common roots and shared historical
heritage. This would be the basis in linking the peoples of ASEAN as well as the
foundation for building the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). The
Meeting also had extensive discussion on various issues particularly on the priority
areas and deliverables for the 15thASEAN Summit. The Meeting supported in
principle Thailand’s proposal to have education as one of the outcome document
for the 15th ASEAN Summit as well as agreeable to expedite the process of the
drafting of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the ASEAN Commission on the
Promotion and Protection of the Rigths of Women and Children. The Meeting
adopted the Rules of Procedure as well as took note on the development of the
ASCC Communications Plan. Under the development of the ASCC
Communications Plan, the Meeting shared many ideas on bringing ASEAN to the
people. The Meeting also agreed that the Second Meeting of the ASCC Council
would take place back to back with the 15thASEAN Summit in October 2009.
 
 
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