Malaysia: Malaysia, as the Chair of ASEAN 2025, will host the 39th Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) Meeting and the 34th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre in Selangor next week.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) stated that the meetings, scheduled over three days starting Monday, will serve as platforms for ASEAN member states to discuss key socio-cultural issues shaping the region.

The ASCC Council Meeting, which is held twice a year at the ministerial level and supported by SOCA, advances ASEAN's people-centred agenda through regional initiatives, cultural exchanges and collaborations with international organisations. "Guided by the values of Malaysia MADANI, which emphasises sustainability, inclusivity and shared prosperity, these meetings reaffirm ASEAN's commitment to building a stronger socio-cultural community," MOTAC added.

MOTAC also announced the convening of the inaugural ASCC High-Level Forum 2025. This landmark platform aims to reflect on the lessons learned from the ASCC Blueprint 2025 and to chart the future direction of ASEAN socio-cultural cooperation in line with ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.

The statement mentioned that the half-day forum will gather ministers, dialogue partners, business leaders, academics, think tanks, youth representatives, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for two thematic high-level dialogues. "These sessions will explore strategic foresight on emerging challenges, innovations and opportunities in shaping the ASEAN socio-cultural landscape," it said.

MOTAC also invited the public to visit the ASEAN Arts and Crafts Bazaar, which will feature curated exhibitions of traditional and contemporary crafts, live demonstrations by master artisans, business matching sessions for entrepreneurs, and interactive pocket talks on cultural heritage and the creative industries. The bazaar will be held from 10 am to 5 pm on the same date and at the same venue.

Malaysia's hosting of these key ASEAN events highlights its leadership in promoting regional cooperation, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connectivity. The events emphasize inclusivity, sustainability, and shared prosperity as ASEAN charts its course towards 2045.