THE importance of youth as future leaders and bearers responsible for the policy directions and destiny of Asean and to be involved in the promotion of the Asean unique identity and maintaining its solidarity as well as its awareness was emphasised by Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam, at the 16th Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting recently.
Delivering his statement at the Plenary Session of the meeting, the minister stressed that ASCC Council Ministers should support and encourage youth participation in any sectoral programmes as their active involvement in various programmes and activities are critical in ensuring the continuous implementation of ASCC’s action plans as well as successful realisation of the ASCC Blueprint 2025 and its continuity in the future.
In a statement, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi also stated that it is equally important for ASCC to disseminate and inculcate Asean’s culture, social traditions and values particularly among the young generation through various mechanisms available.
The important role of culture in the establishment of the Asean community was also highlighted. In this regard, the minister commended the efforts by relevant stakeholders in promoting cooperation in culture that would contribute to the establishment of a unique Asean identity.
The minister expressed confidence that these noble efforts will forge a strong common Asean identity and build a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and where the well-being, livelihood, and welfare of the peoples are enhanced.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in a photo with the Brunei delegation in Lao PDR.
“However, on building a people-oriented, people-centred Asean, a key challenge is broadening and deepening appreciation of our cultural diversity, going beyond just showcasing national heritage and pride and elevating it further to be the main platform towards a genuine and lasting regional identity and a sense of ownership amongst the Asean people,” the minister said.
In this regard Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi called for other sectoral bodies within the ASCC Pillar to also embrace the spirit of being aligned, integrated and working together as one for them to successfully implement their respective work programmes.
The 16th ASCC Council Meeting was officially opened by Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) in a ceremony held at the Lao National Culture Hall. The meeting was chaired by Prof Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Lao PDR.
The 16th ASCC Council Meeting is the final meeting for ASCC under Lao PDR’s Chairmanship prior to the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summit to be held in Vientiane on September 6–8.
The meeting endorsed several documents to be submitted to the 28th and 29th Asean Summits including the Vientiane declaration on reinforcing cultural heritage cooperation in Asean and the Bandar Seri Begawan declaration on Culture and Arts to promote Asean’s identity towards a dynamic and harmonious Asean Community.
Accompanying Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi at the meeting were Haji Mohd Na’aim bin Haji Mohd Salleh, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Lao PDR, Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and senior officials at the ministry.
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