Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday emphasized that Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States should strengthen regional partnerships and adopt strategic approaches to address current global challenges.

Leading the opening of the 35th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting in Makati City, Gatchalian said ASEAN is closely intertwined with overlapping and interconnected international pressures.

The region faces rapidly evolving challenges such as technological changes, climate-related disasters, economic volatility, and social inequalities, Gatchalian said.

“The need to bolster regional cooperation is heightened by the contemporaneous events at the global context where ASEAN people, as citizens of the world, are not immune to headwinds stemming from broader shifts,” Gatchalian said during the opening of the ASCC Council Meeting.

“These realities call on us to think strategically and center on the development of people and families as a foundation of thriving societies,” Gatchalian said.

Under the DSWD’s Chairship of this year’s ASCC, Gatchalian said it is committed to advancing the goal of the “people pillar” of ASEAN.

“The ASCC ensures that ASEAN cooperation translates in meaningful improvement in our communities,” Gatchalian added.

“It focuses on promoting inclusion, empowering the youth, strengthening the social protection systems, and enhancing the resilience across Southeast Asia,” Gatchalian said.

ASEAN Ministers are expected to formally adopt key frameworks and finalize priority social policies for Southeast Asia at the conclusion of the 35th ASCC Council Meeting.