Asean and UK chart course for economic, cultural prosperity

New Straits Times

16-05-2025

ASEAN stands at a pivotal moment.
With its rich cultural heritage and dynamic, youthful population, the region is poised to drive sustainable and inclusive growth through its creative sectors.
The creative economy presents a vibrant path for the region, encouraging innovation, economic variety, job creation, youth empowerment and a stronger regional identity.
The recent Asean-UK Symposium in Kuala Lumpur — a collaboration between the British Council and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry — marked an important milestone by developing a sustainable creative economy framework for the region.
Attended by more than 100 delegates from government bodies and creative professionals across Asean and the United Kingdom, the event provided a vital platform for rich dialogue, featuring panels on cross-sector collaboration and the launch of the "Arts and Technologies in Asean: Interconnected Parts" report.
A key outcome was the shared commitment to finalise the Asean Creative Economy Sustainability Framework for adoption at the Asean Leaders Summit this month, showing a strong commitment to regional cooperation.
The UK, through the Asean-UK Advancing Creative Economy (ACE) Programme, has emerged as a strategic partner in this effort.
Delivered by the British Council in collaboration with the UK Mission to Asean and the Asean Secretariat, the Asean-UK Advancing Creative Economy Programme (ACE) connects creative practitioners, policymakers and academics.
It draws on UK expertise while embracing local knowledge to strengthen policy development and grow a creative ecosystem across the region.
Since it began, the Asean-UK ACE Programme has reached over 1,000 policymakers and creative professionals across the 10 Asean member states and Timor-Leste.
It has helped create stronger connections, better policies and shared learning. By connecting UK and Asean professionals and highlighting local best practices, the programme is creating opportunities for growth and wider adoption within the region.
Inclusivity is at the heart of our approach.
Over 60 per cent of participants in our Asean creative economy programmes are women, and we actively engage underrepresented groups, including disabled people and rural communities.
By using local languages, accessible spaces and supporting grassroots initiatives, we ensure that every voice has a place in shaping the region's creative future.
Chairing Asean in 2025, Malaysia has a big role to play. Its mix of cultures, location and growing tech industry make it a good place to grow creative ideas.
We believe Malaysia can become a regional hub for creative innovation, especially in film, music and the arts.
Cities like Penang are already using technological and infrastructural developments to boost the multimedia creative industry.
Still, no country can succeed alone. Asean countries need to work together to share skills, knowledge and resources.
By working together, Asean nations can create a larger, more integrated market for creative products and services, enhancing regional trade and investment. Initiatives to improve digital connectivity and infrastructure, along with aligning policies related to intellectual property, funding and censorship, are crucial steps towards creating a favourable environment for creative innovation.
To the young creatives of Malaysia and across Asean: this is your moment. Build your networks, stay curious and seize the opportunities offered by organisations like the British Council. Whether your ambition is to thrive locally or make a global impact, we are here to support your journey.
The Asean-UK partnership, demonstrated by the Asean-UK ACE Programme and the recent Kuala Lumpur symposium, is helping to build a creative economy that is fair, open and ready for the world. Together, we can shape a better future through culture and creativity.