We, the Ministers/Heads of Delegations responsible for labour in ASEAN, China, Japan, and Republic of Korea, gathered on 16 May 2016 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Khampheng Saysompheng, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Lao PDR, and reviewed the progress of cooperation on labour under the ASEAN Plus Three framework. The Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) was also present at our meeting.
We recognised the importance of heightening cooperation among the ASEAN Plus Three Countries in light of recent developments at the regional and global levels, most notably the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community with its new Vision for 2025 and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals. In line with the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025, we discussed areas of mutual interest and encouraged closer collaboration on ASEAN’s new priorities and projects on labour for the next five years.
