1. We, the ASEAN Ministers responsible for social welfare and development convened the Sixth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting for Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD) with the theme of “ Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities in Development : Lessons and Actions For the Future” on 6 December 2007 in Hanoi, Viet Nam.
2. We reiterated the strong commitment and dedication by our Leaders as reflected in the Cebu Declaration Towards One Caring and Sharing Community, which advocated a people-centred approach to ensure that all ASEAN Communities have access to all basic social and welfare services.
Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities in Development
3. We called for an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for our Disabled and thus noted with concern the rapid social and economic changes arising from globalization that contribute to the complexity of challenges in all sectors and affect human security, and further marginalise those living with disabilities.
4. With the ultimate goal of “mainstreaming persons with disability in development”, we commended the inclusion of concerns and experiences of persons with disabilities as an integral dimension of policies and regulations in all spheres of ASEAN society to ensure that all those living with disabilities are given equal opportunity and access to the employment market
5. We noted the ASEAN Member Countries’ ratification of two key international instruments, namely, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW, 1979) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1989), and adoption of regional declarations and work plans pertaining to the rights of women and children. We also welcomed the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the United Nations.
6. We were pleased to note that regional cooperation concerning the family and the socially vulnerable groups, especially children, older persons, persons with disabilities and women had been strengthened with the adoption of the ASEAN Strategic Framework and Plan of Action for Social Welfare, Family and Children (2007 – 2010) by the Fourth ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development held in December 2006.
7. We were of the view that specific consideration should also be given to those who are at risk at becoming disabled in the course of their occupations. In this regard, we strongly felt that the principles of regional cooperation and integration need to be translated into proactive, effective and productive action in the field of Occupational Safety and Health in the ASEAN region, which will be to the benefit of the populations of ASEAN.
8. We also viewed that special consideration should be given, inter-alia, to those living in communities that are prone to natural and man-made disasters and to the prevention of disability among these populations.
9. We noted the convening of the 2nd ASEAN GO-NGO Forum on 3 December 2007 and supported the Forum’s recommendation on the need for policies which mainstream persons with disabilities in development and which reflect rights-based approach.
The Establishment of the ASEAN Community
10. We exchanged views on the role of social welfare and development in the establishment of the ASEAN Community and discussed the need to address the development gap amongst ASEAN Member Countries and to ensure the social risks faced by persons with disabilities, as well as women, children and the elderly, are minimized or eliminated.
11. We were encouraged by the consolidated efforts reflected at various ASEAN Meetings in realizing the ASEAN Leaders’ shared vision of an integrated ASEAN Community by 2015. In this regard, we lauded the continuing implementation of the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) in the area of Social Welfare and Development in the ASEAN region.
12. We highly appreciated the East Asia and Pacific Consultation on Children and HIV/AIDS in Viet Nam in March 2006 and welcomed the Ha Noi Call to Action for children and HIV/AIDS, which highlights nine urgent actions to scale up response to children who are vulnerable and affected by HIV/AIDS.
13. We noted the convening of the 2nd East Asia Ministerial Forum on Families in Singapore in November 2006 and welcomed the Singapore Statement highlighting the importance of ‘building resilient families’ in the face of the challenges of globalisation and demographic developments in the region.
14. We were pleased to note the organisation of the Fourth Regional Seminar for ASEAN Project on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) - Phase II, which agreed on a set of strategic priorities for continued regional ECCD collaboration to be integrated into the ASEAN Strategic Framework and Plan of Action for Social Welfare, Family and Children (2007 – 2010). We appreciated the ASEAN Children’s calls to action and supported their participation in activities concerning their lives.
15. We agreed to strengthen joint government/non-government initiatives and ASEAN-Civil Societies cooperation in all social welfare and development areas. We noted the convening of two GO-NGO forums on social welfare and development, assisted by the International Council for Social Welfare in September 2006 and in December 2007 prior to our Meeting. These forums helped government and NGO identify ways to move forward cohesively in addressing priorities for social welfare and development, and making more effective use of existing forums.
16. We reaffirmed the importance of forging strategic partnerships with Dialogue Partners and with international organizations including the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the International Labour Organization - International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (ILO-IPEC), and others to address the challenges of the social sector.
17. We were committed to promoting cooperation towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society with protection of well-being of people against any risks; and creating equal opportunities for every member of the society to social services, especially for persons with disabilities, older persons, children in special circumstances, victims of trafficking and disasters.
18. We noted the development of a Framework Blueprint for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), which would uphold the VAP’s commitment to address the region’s aspiration to improve the quality of life of its people. In that, the Framework Blueprint stresses the importance of increasing the effectiveness of regional cooperation to address the various threats to human development and security including hunger, disease, lack of opportunities, natural and man-made disasters, domestic violence, trafficking in persons and social injustice among others.
Seventh ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development
19. We welcomed the kind offer of Brunei Darussalam to host the Seventh ASEAN Ministerial Meeting for Social Welfare and Development in 2010.
20. We thanked the Government and the people of Viet Nam for their warm and generous hospitality accorded to us and our respective delegations and the excellent arrangements for the Meeting. We also expressed our sincere appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat for its assistance.
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H.E. Pehin Dato Haji Mohammad
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
Brunei Darussalam
H.E. Say Siphonn
Secretary of State for Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation
Cambodia
H.E. Bachtiar Chamsyah
Minister of Social Affairs
Indonesia
H.E. Laoly Faiphengyoa
Vice Minister of Labour and Social Welfare
Lao PDR
H.E. Shahrizat binti Abdul Jalil
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development
Malaysia
H.E. Major General Muang Muang Swe
Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement
Myanmar
H.E. Dr. Esperanza I. Cabral
Secretary for Social Welfare and Development
The Philippines
H.E. Yu-Foo Yee Shoon
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports
Singapore
H.E. Poldej Pinprateep
Deputy Minister of Social Development and Human Security
Thailand
H.E. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs
Viet Nam
H.E. Ong Keng Yong
Secretary-General of ASEAN
