Manila, March 5 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to craft and continue bolstering existing regional policies that advance human capital development in Southeast Asia, especially as the region deals with emerging and increasingly complex challenges.

Social development ministers from the 11 ASEAN member states made the assurance as the bloc successfully concludes its week-long ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) meetings in Makati City on Thursday.

Reporting on the meeting outcomes, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the ASCC ministers formally endorsed at least 10 social development documents for notation and adopted an ASEAN statement on ...