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ASEAN Partners support the ASEAN SDG-SSE roadmap (2026-2030). MOU signed on May 23, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur
- THE FOUNDERS
In 2020, four active social solidarity economy activist, practioners and thought leaders namely Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Malaysia), Dr Eri Trinurini Adhi (Indonesia), Dr. Benjamin R. Quinones Jr. (Philippines) and Ms Poonsap Tulaphan (Thailand) resolved to establish “The Society for Asian Solidarity Economy (ASSEC)” under Malaysian law of society registration.
The founding members recognised that all around ASEAN and Asia are innovative approaches of grassroots communities in undertaking local development. ASSEC founders noted that the 17 SDG goals as a major paradigm shift in how we did development and the empowerment of those left behind.
We recognised that the UN resolutions on both SDG and social solidarity economy as a major breakthrough in localising SDGs and the direct involvement of vulnerable communities: women especially the informal sector, indigenous people, urban and rural poor, young people and migrant workers have a right to enjoy the fruits of development.
Dr Eri Trinurini Adhi
Bina Swadaya Foundation, Indonesia
Ms Poonsap Tulaphan
Homenet Thailand
- Establishing Legal Roots
The four founding members of
ASSEC are active members of the
Asian Solidarity Economy Council (ASEC).
As the Asian Solidarity Economy Council (ASEC) was a network without a legal entitle the ASEAN partners or from South East Asian countries took the initiative to register a body under the Malaysian laws. This has enabled the legal body in Malaysia namely The Society for Asian Solidarity Economy ASSEC to serve as the secretariate by providing the legal covering, coordinating and secretariate support including banking and managing the finances.
ASEC as a network has members in South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka) as well as partners in East Asia (Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China). The South East Asian partners in ASEAN namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand serve as an anchor to the Asian SSE network. Over the next five years (2006 to 2030) we will seek to strength and enlarge country representation and participation.
- RIPESS
- RIPESS
This council was a network and a member the Inter-continental network for the promotion of social solidarity economy – RIPESS. A inter-continental network with partners in Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Ripess has received UN accreditation.
RIPESS – Members, Learn More.
- THE FORMATION
ASSEC is registered under the Malaysian Societies Act (1966) in Malaysia. The Registrar of Societies, Government of Malaysia formally approved the formation of ASSEC on 11 November 2020.
Under the Malaysian law only individual members from Malaysia and ASEAN countries can be registered as members. Non-Malaysians from ASEAN countries can hold office but this has to be approved by the Registrar of Societies, Government of Malaysia as indicated in the Constitution, (clause 4 page 2).
At the AGM held on May 21, 2025 at the Swiss Garden Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, it was confirmed that the society will continue to serve as the legal secretariate of the Asian Solidarity Economy Council, which is an Asian level of SSE network by managing the funds and coordinating the activities. The audited statement of accounts between 2020 and 2024 was accepted.
The following office bearers were elected for a two-year term (2025 and 2027). They are as follows:-
President: Dr. Eri Trinurini Adhi (Indonesia)
Vice President: Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria (Malaysia)
Secretary: Mr. James Raj (Malaysia)
Assistant Secretary: Mr. Chandra Firmantoko (Indonesia)
Treasurer: Mr. Kon Onn Sein (Malaysia)
Committee Members: Dr. Benjamin R. Quinones Jr. (Philippines) & Ms. Poonsap Tulaphan (Thailand)
6 of the 7 ASSEC participated at the 21 May 2025 AGM at Kuala Lumpur Swiss Garden Hotel.
Exco meeting held on 24 May 2025 at Kuala Lumpur Swiss Garden Hotel.
The ASSEC AGM will meet once a year in Malaysia and the Executive Committee will meet four time a year in hybrid fashion -physical and online.
The official ASSEC bank account is at the CIMB Bank at the Empire in Subang Jaya, Malaysia and the account number is 80-1070241-4
The official address of ASSEC is 47 Jalan SS18/3A Subang Jaya, Selangor 47500 MALAYSIA. RoS has been informed of the 2025 AGM decisions which is posted online and waiting formal approval