KUALA LUMPUR, 03 October 2025 – As chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia will take the lead in regional socio-cultural cooperation next week by hosting 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.
The meetings, scheduled over three days starting Monday, will bring together ASEAN member states to deliberate on key socio-cultural issues shaping the region, according to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac).
Advancing ASEAN’s People-Centred Agenda
The ASCC Council Meeting, held twice yearly at ministerial level and supported by Soca, focuses on advancing ASEAN’s people-centred agenda through regional initiatives, cultural exchanges, and partnerships 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 said.
Inaugural ASCC High-Level Forum 2025
A key highlight will be the first-ever ASCC High-Level Forum 2025, which will reflect on lessons from the ASCC Blueprint 2025 and chart ASEAN’s future direction under ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.
The half-day forum will gather ministers, dialogue partners, business leaders, academics, think tanks, youth representatives, and NGOs for two thematic high-level dialogues. These discussions will focus on emerging challenges, innovation, and opportunities in shaping ASEAN’s socio-cultural landscape.
ASEAN Arts and Crafts Bazaar
Motac has also invited the public to visit the ASEAN Arts and Crafts Bazaar, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the same venue. The bazaar will showcase traditional and contemporary crafts, live artisan demonstrations, business-matching sessions for entrepreneurs, and interactive talks on cultural heritage and creative industries.
Malaysia’s Regional Role
Malaysia’s hosting of these events underscores its leadership in fostering regional cooperation, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connectivity, while promoting inclusivity, sustainability, and prosperity as ASEAN looks ahead to 2045.
