Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok (center) announces the Declaration of Chairs' Statement from the seventh Asia-Europe Culture Ministers' Meeting, in Gwangju on June 24.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok (center) announces the Declaration of Chairs’ Statement from the seventh Asia-Europe Culture Ministers’ Meeting, in Gwangju on June 24.

The 44 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) countries spoke with one united voice when they emphasized cooperation on culture and on their creative economy vision. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok announced the Declaration of Chairs’ Statement on June 24 at the end of the second part of the plenary session of the seventh Asia-Europe Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Gwangju.

The statement contains the results of discussion sessions of the seventh Asia-Europe Culture Ministers’ Meeting, all of which highlighted the importance of close cooperation on culture and on the creative industries among ASEM countries. It also includes examples from Korea’s case concerning the creative industries — its “Culture and Creativity Fusion Belt” — and includes the country’s proposal to form a network of youth leadership among ASEM member nations. The statement also touches upon the activities and outcomes of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the only permanent body of the ASEM.

Leading the meeting, Minister Kim said, “Cooperation among countries will shine even further when the uncertainties surrounding the global economy become bigger,” while highlighting the need to make concerted efforts in order to maintain a cooperative structure for the creative economy. The minister emphasized cooperation and participation among ASEM members and non-members in order to produce visible outcomes. He also said that he hopes that, “Asia and Europe can cooperate and become future-looking partners.”

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok emphasizes cooperation and participation among ASEM members during the plenary session of the seventh Asia-Europe Culture Ministers' Meeting in Gwangju on Jun. 24.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok emphasizes cooperation and participation among ASEM members during the plenary session of the seventh Asia-Europe Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Gwangju on Jun. 24.

In the meeting, participants announced the results of the discussion sessions they held yesterday where they discussed “Culture and the Creative Economy” and other related issues, such as the “Future of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the Creative Industries,” “Traditional Cultural Heritage and the Creative Economy” and “International Cooperation for Vitalizing the Creative Industries.”

In the meeting, ASEM representatives also agreed to hold the next ASEM Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Sofia in Bulgaria in 2018.

Meanwhile, on the same day Minister Kim held one-on-one meetings with Laotian Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara and Italian Vice Minister Dorina Bianchi of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism. He also held meetings with Hungarian Minister of State for Cultural and Science Diplomacy Balint Istvan Ijgyarto and signed a memorandum of understanding that covered cooperation and cultural exchanges.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Jeon Han Korea.net Photographer, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
arete@korea.kr

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok meets with Laotian Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara on June 24.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok meets with Laotian Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara on June 24.

 

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok talks with Italian Vice Minister Dorina Bianchi of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism on June 24.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok talks with Italian Vice Minister Dorina Bianchi of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism on June 24.

 

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok poses for photos with Hungarian Minister of State for Cultural and Science Diplomacy Balint Istvan Ijgyarto after signing an MOU covering cooperation and cultural exchanges on June 24.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok poses for photos with Hungarian Minister of State for Cultural and Science Diplomacy Balint Istvan Ijgyarto after signing an MOU covering cooperation and cultural exchanges on June 24.