Quang Ninh (VNA) – The 18th ASEAN GO-NGO Forum on Social Welfare and Development tookplace in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh on November 13.

As part of the 19th Senior OfficialsMeeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) and related events hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the event gathered representatives from Government agencies, non-governmentorganisations of ASEAN member nations, the ASEAN Secretariat, UN agencies, and internationalorganisations operating in social welfare and development in Vietnam and theregion. Timor Leste took part in the event as an observer.

The forum focused on main challenges faced by social welfare systems and measuresimplemented or planned by countries to address these challenges.

In his openingremarks, Luu Quang Tuan, Director of the MoLISA’s International Cooperation Department, said countries should focus on more sustainable andlong-term strategies for pandemic management, control and prevention because the cessation of the COVID-19 emergency status does not imply the disappearance of pandemics.


Lessons learned before and during the COVID-19 pandemicneed to be integrated into policies, plans, and national social welfaresystems, both in the short and long term, to ensure that no one is left behind,he said.

Countries shouldcarefully consider emerging trends in the region, such as demographic changes,migration, the impact of climate change, and advancements in science andtechnology, along with persistent issues of poverty and diverse inequalities,he said, adding that these are significant challenges that demand responsesfrom the social welfare systems and measures of ASEAN member countries.

He suggestedparticipants engage in open discussions, and shared viewpoints for finalizing recommendationsof the forum, which will serve further discussions among senior officialsand as a foundation for ASEAN Ministers to formulate social welfare policiesthat meet the demands of people, especially vulnerable groups, in the coming time.

The forum contributesto realising long-term goals and commitments of ASEAN leaders in building a resilient, inclusive, people-centred community. It reflects the collective action ofgovernments, non-governmental entities, businesses, and citizens to ensure thateconomic development goes hand in hand with fairness and stability, and ultimatelybenefits the people.

Delegates sharedinformation related to social welfare policies and legislation, as well as exemplarypractices, and put forth relevant recommendations.

The recommendations ofthe forum will be submitted to the 19th SOMSWD slated for November 15-17./.