Let’s unpack the words! These words are essential elements of the ASCC Strategic Plan and its vision for a future-ready ASEAN:

• People-centred: strives for people’s improved quality of life and well-being, and meaningful participation in all aspects of development and Community building
• Resilient: fosters human security and resilience through inclusive development, protection of human rights, promotion of peace and intercultural understanding, and narrowing development gaps
• Innovative: supports a creative, innovative, and responsive ASEAN that embraces new ideas and technologies to address emerging challenges
• Dynamic: through promoting a connected, culturally rich, and cohesive ASEAN, it embraces change and diversity to build a vibrant regional identity and stronger people-to-people linkages
• Inclusive: ensures that no one is left behind, especially people in vulnerable situations
• Sustainable: advancing development that balances people, planet, and prosperity for present and future generations

They shape the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community’s direction towards 2045. Explore more in the ASCC Strategic Plan (page 105-133): bit.ly/ASEAN2045

The development of the ASCC Strategic Plan is part of the Development of the ASCC Strategic Plan project supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

On 26 September 2025, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Nararya S. Soeprapto, delivered a lecture at the 2nd ASEAN-G7 Next Leaders Forum. He shared his perspectives and working experiences in ASEAN, one of the most successful regional organisation in the world that has been guided by the ASEAN Way. He highlighted the key principles of mutual respect and consensus, which have fostered dialogue and trust-building among Member States to ensure regional peace and stability, advancing economic integration, and fostering an ASEAN Community of a Shared Future, as envisioned in ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

The 2nd ASEAN-G7 Next Leaders Forum project is supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

Young leaders from the ten ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, and East Asia Summit countries including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the United States, are gathering in Jakarta to participate in the ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting East Asia Summit 2025 (AFMAM EAS 2025). The programme runs from 15–19 September 2025 at the ASEAN Secretariat.

This year’s AFMAM takes on a special format to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the East Asia Summit – a leaders-led forum for dialogue on strategic, political, and economic issues aimed at promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. This year, AFMAM EAS 2025 brings together 60 delegates from ASEAN and East Asia participants, offering them the chance not only to understand the complexities of ASEAN diplomacy but also to explore how it connects with real regional challenges and diverse perspectives through high-level simulations of ASEAN meetings and a Model East Asia Summit.

To mark this milestone, the ASEAN Foundation, in collaboration with the Missions of Australia, China, and Japan to ASEAN, and with the support of the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF), is proud to present this special edition of its flagship diplomacy initiative.

During the Opening Ceremony, Dialogue Partners also reaffirmed their commitment to youth engagement, including Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, KIYA Masahiko, who expressed pride in supporting the initiative, noting: “Japan is greatly honoured to support the 2025 Model East Asia Summit and to welcome talented and aspiring delegates from all EAS Participating Countries. We hope that this initiative will strengthen and expand the network of young leaders across ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific for our shared future.”

From 3 to 5 September 2025, SEAFDEC/IFRDMD conducted a joint field activity under two collaborative initiatives: the Enhanced Research Capacities for Sustainable Utilization and Management of Ell and Other Inland Fisheries Resources, funded by the Japanese Trust Fund (JTF) and the Regional Collaborative Research and Capacity Building for Monitoring and Reduction of Marine Debris from Fisheries in Southeast Asia, funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

The activity took place along the Lematang and Enim Rivers in Muara Enim District, South Sumatra—an area renowned for its rich inland fisheries and riverine communities that rely heavily on these ecosystems for their livelihoods. The joint mission underscored the strong connection between sustainable fisheries management and environmental health.

SEAFDEC/IFRDMD successfully organised an in-house training workshop on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) Analysis and Stock Assessment under the JAIF-funded project “Development of Stock Assessment Methods and Strengthening of Resources Management Measures for Tropical Anguillid Eel in Southeast Asia.” The workshop took place in Denpasar, Indonesia, from 27 to 31 August 2025, and served as a capacity-building platform to enhance technical expertise in analysing eel fisheries data collected from different pilot sites in the region.

This project is structured around two key analytical components: stock assessment and DNA analysis. While DNA analysis focuses on applying molecular tools to understand eel species diversity and distribution, the stock assessment component emphasises evaluating eel population abundance and sustainability.