Pasay City:His Excellency Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, represented Brunei Darussalam at the 36th Meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council (ASCC) on 6 November 2026. The event took place in Pasay City, Republic of the Philippines.
According to Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports of Brunei Darussalam, the meeting was chaired by His Excellency Rexlon Ting Gatchalian, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development of the Republic of the Philippines. Under the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together," the meeting focused on reaffirming the commitment of ASEAN Member States to develop a people-centred, inclusive, and resilient community.
The council highlighted the importance of the ASCC Strategic Plan within the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, emphasizing the need to transform regional commitments into policies and programs benefiting ASEAN citizens. His Excellency Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary commended the progress of the ASCC Strategic Plan's implementation and underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing interconnected challenges.
Additionally, the meeting saw the introduction of the ASCC Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) System. This system, launched during the meeting's Opening Ceremony, aims to enhance evidence-based decision-making and accountability, improving the monitoring of the ASCC Strategic Plan's implementation.
His Excellency also expressed Brunei Darussalam's support for the Philippine Presidency's priorities under the R.I.S.E. initiative. These priorities focus on strong family institutions, inclusive development, skilled youth, and environmental sustainability, aligning with Brunei Darussalam's national objectives.
The council also endorsed the Report of the 36th ASCC Council Meeting, which will be presented at the 49th ASEAN Summit for consideration by ASEAN leaders. The meeting followed the 41st Senior Officials Committees’ Meeting for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, attended by representatives from Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.