11 Countries Present In Jakarta, Fadli Zon Emphasizes The Strategic Role Of ASEAN-COCI

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon. (IST)

JAKARTA Minister of Culture Fadli Zon welcomed the delegation of 11 ASEAN countries at the 60th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN-COCI) in the City Forest by Plataran, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 25. This November 24 Meeting is an important momentum to strengthen cultural, information and media collaboration in the region.

Fadli emphasized that ASEAN-COCI, which was founded in 1978, played a major role in strengthening the connectivity of the ASEAN community. "ASEAN-COCI is the driving force for cultural collaboration and information exchange in the midst of regional diversity," he said.

This year's meeting also presented the ASEAN-COCI 2025 Jubilee Fiesta featuring the exhibition of memorabilia, forums, and Jubilee Photo Competition at the ASEAN Secretariat and the National Museum. Fadli appreciated the work of participants who captured everyday life as a regional cultural identity.

He assessed that ASEAN-COCI has a strategic role in bringing together artists and cultural practitioners to strengthen the ASEAN social-cultural community towards 2045. Fadli also highlighted the potential of 220 million young Southeast Asians as motors of creativity and cultural diplomacy.

Fadli conveyed the latest collaborations of four countries 'Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Singapore' in the national kebaya nomination to UNESCO as strong evidence of ASEAN cultural relations.

Delegations from 11 ASEAN countries were present in person at this meeting. Brunei Darussalam was represented by Mohd Abdoh Damit, while Cambodia sent Prak Thaveak Amida. Indonesia assigned Ichwan Makmur Nasution, and Laos presented Khamphou Phiasackha. Malaysia was represented by Nik Kamaruzaman Bin Nik Husin, followed by Myanmar delegation Hlaing Win Maung.

From the Philippines was present Maria Ella Eduarte Clark, while Singapore sent firekeeper Lim Wei Jie. Thailand sent the Lertkasem Sudrutai, Timor Leste represented by Manuel Ximenes Smith, and Vietnam presented Tran Hai Van.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, Jonathan Tan Ghee Tiong, who ensured full support from the secretariat on the agenda of cultural collaboration and regional information.

The welcoming ceremony featured Zapin's lighting show and dance as a representation of the diversity of regional culture. Fadli closed his remarks with the hope that ASEAN-COCI would bring a real contribution to strengthening culture and information in Southeast Asia.