1. The ASEAN Comprehensive Framework on Care Economy serves to guide ASEAN’s development of the care economy in response to complex crises and challenges ––– such as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, changing demographics, the climate crisis ––– to further sustainable development and protect different segments of populations and sectors in the region. ASEAN’s responses will require a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, and multi-pronged ––– i.e. whole-ofASEAN ––– approach to prepare for a stronger, resilient and sustainable ASEAN.

2. In line with the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and Its Implementation Plan, and the ASEAN Leaders’ Vision Statement on a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN: Rising Above Challenges and Sustaining Growth (Ha Noi, June 2020), ASEAN needs to cooperate closely in strengthening the social safety net for its peoples, minimising social disruption and instability in the unprecedented times, particularly with the recent global COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on the economy by designing and implementing risk-informed and shockresponsive social protection systems to reduce vulnerabilities of atrisk populations, as stipulated in the Declaration of the Special ASEAN Summit on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) held on 14 April 2020.

At the same time, it is vital for ASEAN Member States and its relevant stakeholders to continue its joint and concerted efforts in protecting its citizens’ well-being and respective economies, as well as the livelihood of those vulnerable groups.

3. The COVID-19 health crisis has demonstrated governments’ resolve to put ‘care’ at the centre of public policy to generate new social and economic dynamics, solidarity, clean air, and new ways to combine work with family responsibilities amongst many recent developments.

The activities of care and care work contribute towards sustaining, continuing and repairing the world in which we live. Investments in the care economy are expected to sustainably improve the quality of life and well-being for peoples of ASEAN.