ASEAN members pledge to boost culture, arts cooperation

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states have pledged to enhance their partnership in the field of culture and arts, aiming to promote the role of ASEAN in the field for integration and sustainable development.

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The topic was under discussion at the 19th Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Culture and Arts (SOMCA 19) and related meetings themed “Promoting the Role of ASEAN Culture and the Arts in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic for Sustainable Development” in Vangvieng district of Laos on October 24-25.  

Addressing the event, Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket affirmed that culture and the arts is an important field under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillar, and a crucial driver of economic growth and sustainable development as well as in forging closer friendship and cooperation not only within ASEAN.

The sector plays a strong role in implementing and realising the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Culture and Arts 2016-2025 and the ASCC Blueprint 2025, she said, adding that her country will include culture and arts as one of the ASCC priorities and key deliverables during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.

According to Viyaket, ASEAN has a unique identity, cultural and arts diversity, traditions, languages and religions. Even though there are differences, the peoples of ASEAN live together peacefully and harmoniously, fostering mutual assistance and people-to-people links through effective and efficient ASEAN cooperation./.

VNA