NDO/VNA – The ASEAN Secretariat has organised the 17th Coordinating Conference on the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOC-COM) via video teleconference to discuss the future of climate change cooperation in the region.

“To ensure a resilient and sustainable ASEAN in line with the ASEAN Community Blueprint 2025, we should be better prepared to mitigate and pre-empt the adverse impacts of climate change,” said Ekkaphab Phanthavong, Co-Chair of the 17th SOC-COM and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Socio Cultural Community (ASCC).

Speakers from ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and regional entities provided updates on the progress of regional cooperation on climate change. Meanwhile, the Chair of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment reiterated ASEAN’s commitment to achieve a cohesive regional community that is climate resilient, including strengthening of commitments by ASEAN member states to achieve zero emission as conveyed during 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties.

Climate activities and initiatives undertaken by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity were also discussed, particularly on the development of the first draft of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework which sets out a target on minimizing the impact of climate change on biodiversity.

Promoting and strengthening partnerships and engagement with ASEAN’s stakeholders, including the youth, was a recurrent theme across the climate briefings and discussions.

The 17th SOC-COM also discussed issues of Financing for Sustainability, and the potential synergies between the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASCC in promoting sustainable development.

In closing, the Chair of SOCA, Hajah Nor Ashikin Binti Haji Johari underlined the prominent role of SOC-COM in enhancing cross-sectoral and cross-pillar coordination, especially in supporting ASEAN in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and move towards a sustainable and resilient community.