The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is set to host the 17th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Culture and Arts (SOMCA) and related meetings with dialogue partners including China, Japan and South Korea on October 20.

The ministry, under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, will host the meeting via video conference.

“[SOMCA] will focus on promoting ASEAN cultural and artistic progress, which is one of the foundations of the ASEAN community, and on building harmony in the community,” it said in a press statement on October 18.

The ministry added that the meeting would also focus on promoting the spirit of ownership in the conservation and development of ASEAN cultural heritage and expanding cultural understanding.

It will also focus on broadening the scope of spreading cultures, innovation and improving livelihoods in building the ASEAN community towards sustainable common development.

ASEAN-India partnership cooperation in the fields of cultures and arts is also on the agenda.

The meeting will discuss key issues, including a review of the progress of ASEAN cooperation in the field of culture and arts, such as the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Culture and the Arts 2016-2025, promoting cultural activities over the course of Covid-19, ASEAN City of Culture for the period 2021-2022 and the ASEAN cultural heritage list.

The meeting will review the draft declaration and other important action plans, including cooperation with dialogue partners and in the field of culture and arts for 2022-2025 with China, Japan and South Korea, and the India Relations Forum.