Melaka Declaration Workshop Drives ASEAN Cultural Cooperation And Heritage Transformation

MELAKA, July 23 (Bernama) -- The International Workshop on the Melaka Declaration on Cultural Heritage Value Creation has emerged as a key driver in advancing regional cultural cooperation, with ASEAN member states charting new ways to transform shared heritage into a force for sustainable development and diplomacy.

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) secretary general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot said the two-day workshop is seen as a catalyst for deeper ASEAN cultural ties, with Malaysia taking a leading role in heritage preservation, value creation and cross-border cultural diplomacy.

He said the workshop aims to translate the Melaka Declaration into concrete frameworks that promote the creation of shared heritage value, enhance regional resilience and generate sustainable socio-economic benefits across ASEAN.

“This is not merely a workshop, but a strategic platform to spark new partnerships, build knowledge, and collectively shape ASEAN’s cultural future. It is a game-changer for regional cooperation,” he told Bernama after officiating the opening ceremony of the workshop, here today.

He said key focus areas include unlocking the socio-economic potential of tangible and intangible heritage, raising grassroots awareness on heritage preservation, integrating culture into sustainable development policies, and advancing cross-border repatriation and protection of shared cultural assets.

Through panel discussions, breakout sessions and plenary engagements, he said participants are expected to identify strategies to strengthen the heritage value chain, boost heritage tourism, generate job opportunities and embed culture within national and regional development agendas.

"The workshop also acts as a springboard for capacity building among ASEAN stakeholders with knowledge transfer in areas such as heritage management, repatriation procedures and sustainable tourism planning," he said. 

Apart from that, he said MOTAC sees the workshop as a significant contributor to the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit, with its outcomes expected to inform the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community outcome document that will shape future cultural cooperation across the region. 

By centring value creation in cultural cooperation, he believes the workshop will provide stakeholders with a clear roadmap to transform cultural assets into inclusive economic drivers, spanning heritage tourism, creative industries, education and community empowerment.

"In doing so, Malaysia reaffirms its leadership in shaping a future where ASEAN’s cultural wealth is not only preserved but also shared, celebrated and translated into meaningful progress for all," he said.

He added that Melaka’s selection as host city is both symbolic and strategic, as its UNESCO World Heritage Site status reflects centuries of multicultural exchange and is a living testament to Malaysia’s legacy as a global trading hub and cultural crossroads.

"Its heritage-rich environment with well-preserved architecture, museums, cultural villages and vibrant tourism infrastructure will offer ASEAN delegates an immersive experience aligned with the workshop’s objectives.

"Through this, Malaysia, and Melaka in particular, demonstrates its ambition to serve not only as a regional hub for heritage and culture, but also as a facilitator of unified ASEAN cultural advancement, rooted in shared values, mutual respect and collective growth," he said. 

The two-day workshop, which began today, is organised by MOTAC’s International Relations Division (Culture) in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, related agencies, and Think City.

It brings together over 100 participants from across the region, including government officials, cultural experts, scholars and heritage professionals.

--BERNAMA