AsiaDHRRA has successfully concluded a month-long series of high-level virtual consultations, marking a pivotal milestone in shaping the 2026–2030 regional work plans. Operating under the strategic framework of “A People-Centred ASEAN Towards 2045: Advancing Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, and Wellbeing for All,” the sessions brought together key sectoral bodies to align on a unified vision for the region’s future.
The online consultations, which rolled out across June and July, engaged four critical ASEAN pillars:
- ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) – June 22
- Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) – June 26
- Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) – June 29
- ASEAN Committee on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) – July 8
A Shared Vision Beyond Sectoral Boundaries
The core takeaway from the candid, rich inputs provided by ASEAN Member States was unmistakable: regional challenges cannot be solved in isolation. Representatives consistently emphasized that the path forward requires an integrated, cross-sectoral approach.
Key cross-cutting priorities emerged as central themes across all four sessions:
- Strengthening the care economy
- Eradicating violence against women and children
- Closing the digital divide for marginalized rural communities
- Building robust climate resilience for the region’s most vulnerable populations
As the consultations revealed, issues surrounding poverty, gender, and age do not respect sectoral lines—and the upcoming five-year work plans will reflect that reality by breaking down traditional institutional silos.
Collaborating for High-Impact Outcomes
The success of these consultations rests on strong leadership and collaborative partnerships. AsiaDHRRA extends its deepest gratitude to the Excellencies and Chairs of ACW, SOMSWD, SOMRDPE, and ACWC for their vital guidance, as well as to the ASEAN Member State representatives who pushed for realistic, high-impact, and people-centred work plans.
Special acknowledgment goes to Miguel Musngi and the ASEAN Secretariat’s Poverty Eradication and Gender Division for steering the process. The technical foundations of these plans were driven by sectoral experts Dr. Sita Sumrit, Dr. Angelita Gregorio-Medel, Dr. Nerlita Manalili, and Ms. Pamela Asprer Grafilo.
Next Steps: Moving from Virtual to Face-to-Face
With the online consultations wrapped up, the initiative is moving into its next critical phase. From late July through August, stakeholders will convene in Indonesia for face-to-face validation workshops to finalize the strategies.
About the Initiative: This project is funded by the Australian Government through the Aus4ASEAN Futures program, in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat. It receives cross-project support from the ACRE Project, which is funded by the World Relief Fund (WRF) in partnership with the European Union (EU).
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