Indonesia Calls for 3 Action Steps in ASEAN Socio-Cultural Plan

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia has called for three concrete action steps in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Strategic Plan. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, stated this in a video message at the opening of the 2nd Regional Forum on the ASCC Strategic Plan at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Aside from delivering this call, the forum also marked the launch of “Voices of the Peoples of ASEAN.” This compendium of stakeholder insights serves as evidence that the ASCC Strategic Plan was developed in a participatory manner, by and for the people.

The Coordinating Minister welcomed the document and called for three concrete action steps. He said, “I call on all of us to act on three fronts.”

Pratikno stated that the first step requires strong coordination. This involves setting up clear focal points at both national and local levels.

“First, institutionalized coordination. Design clear focal points at the national and local levels. Indonesia, through our Ministry, Kemenko PMK, bridges the seven sectoral ministries around this mission, and we are ready to share this model,” he said.

Furthermore, he explained the second step, which involves funding these commitments through national budgets. For the third step, he emphasized creating a shared ASEAN monitoring framework.

“Second, finance what we commit to. Reflect the ASCC commitment in our national budgets as a deliberate investment, not a residual allocation. Third, measure what matters. Indonesia supports a shared ASEAN monitoring framework anchored to internationally comparable standards,” he stated.

Pratikno explained that Indonesia has already integrated the ASCC’s priorities into its National Medium-Term Development Plan for 2025–2029. He hopes this forum will produce a clear roadmap for achieving the well-being of all ASEAN citizens.