It’s Laos' initiative as the current Chairman of AMMSWD and has the support of Vietnam as the Chairman of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community 2020 to minimize the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on vulnerable group in ASEAN.

From broadcast spot in Hanoi, Vietnamese delegation attended the Conference led by Mrs. Ha Thi Minh Duc, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs).

The conference spent a lot of time discussing and agreeing on the content of the draft Joint Statement of ASEAN Ministers of Welfare and Social Development on reducing the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on vulnerable groups in order to submit to the special AMMSWD on 10^th June 2020. The content of the Declaration reflected the timely response of the Member States to addressing the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, while acknowledging the ongoing efforts in each Member State to support the poor and the vulnerable groups. The statement also called for joint efforts to mitigate the impacts of Covid-19, ensure social security and enhance resilience for the poor and vulnerable groups during and after pandemic.

During the Conference, participants also discussed about  respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and the role of SOMSWD as the regional focal point in promoting social security and welfare, mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups.

The Vietnamese delegation presented the Initiative to build the "Declaration on Enhancing the role of social work in realizing an ASEAN-centered, people-centered ASEAN Community” in the Welfare and Social Development channel with cooperation with ASEAN Social Work Profession (ASWC). This is one of the important documents that will be submitted to the ASEAN Senior Leaders for approval at the 37th ASEAN Summit. The meeting expressed strong support for this initiative of Vietnam.