The Division of Commerce and Business of the Philippines, along with the Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace, the British Council and the ASEAN Secretariat, convened over 270 leaders, policymakers, creatives, and traders from ASEAN and the UK in Manila for the ASEAN–UK Artistic Financial system Symposium 2026, reinforcing the area’s push to harness the artistic economic system as a key driver of progress, innovation, and cultural id.
Deputy Secretary-Normal of ASEAN for ASEAN Financial Neighborhood (AEC), Satvinder Singh, mentioned:
“ASEAN is well-positioned to harness the total potential of the artistic economic system. Six out of 11 ASEAN Member States now rank among the many high 70 globally within the WIPO International Innovation Index’s artistic outputs dimension. ASEAN recognises that intangible property, corresponding to mental property, manufacturers, and design because the currencies of contemporary artistic economic system. The concepts, expressions, and improvements our creators produce have to be protected, valued, and commercialised.”
UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Helen Fazey, mentioned:
“The UK and ASEAN are advancing collectively by way of belief, cooperation, and shared priorities. This partnership displays a powerful and rising relationship constructed on mutual respect and a shared ambition to assist sustainable financial progress, innovation, and alternative throughout the area. Via initiatives just like the ASEAN–UK Advancing Artistic Financial system programme, we’re deepening collaboration, strengthening people-to-people hyperlinks, and supporting the event of vibrant and resilient artistic sectors.”
ASEAN-focused analysis highlights pathways for progress within the artistic economic system
New analysis below the ASEAN–UK Advancing Artistic Financial system initiative is offering vital insights into the evolution and financial potential of cultural industries throughout the area.
Arts and Applied sciences in ASEAN: Interconnected Components, commissioned by the British Council, examines the fast-growing artistic know-how panorama throughout ASEAN. Drawing on greater than 60 interviews and case research, the report explores how artists are utilizing digital instruments—from AI to immersive media—whereas additionally analysing the regulatory environments shaping innovation. It highlights each the dynamism of the sector and the necessity for stronger assist methods to maintain progress.
Complementing this, the Regional Notion Ballot on the ASEAN Artistic Financial system affords a complete view of how the sector is known throughout the area. Primarily based on insights from over 4,000 respondents, together with each producers and audiences, the research highlights the interconnected nature of artistic ecosystems and the relationships between artists, industries, policymakers, and communities. Its findings underscore the necessity for tailor-made, context-specific methods and stronger regional collaboration to unlock additional progress.
Collectively, these analysis outputs present invaluable proof to tell coverage, information funding, and strengthen UK–ASEAN partnerships.Constructing on this work, a brand new ASEAN pageant analysis and mapping initiative is underway, increasing earlier research to supply a extra complete understanding of the area’s various pageant panorama and establish alternatives for future collaboration.
Nation Director Indonesia and Director South East Asia, Summer season Xia, mentioned:
“Via the ASEAN–UK Advancing Artistic Financial system initiative, we’re investing within the analysis, abilities, and partnerships wanted to assist long-term progress within the artistic sector. The symposium in Manila was an necessary alternative to share these sources and guarantee they’re formed by and for the area. By working carefully with the Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace and the ASEAN Secretariat, we’re serving to to construct a stronger, extra linked artistic economic system throughout ASEAN nations.”
Underscoring the broader imaginative and prescient of the initiative, Deputy Secretary-Normal of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Neighborhood (ASCC) San Lwin has reaffirmed, in separate engagements, that the ASEAN-UK Advancing Artistic Financial system programme maximises the area’s artistic potential to gas socio-economic progress and cultural change. He reiterated the shared dedication to leveraging innovation and creativity as key connectors to drive prosperity, deepen cultural unity, advance social fairness, and promote sustainable, inclusive growth to be able to forge an “ASEAN Neighborhood of Alternatives for All.”
Be taught extra at: ASEAN Artistic Financial system Initiative
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Concerning the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s worldwide tradition and schooling organisation. We assist peace and prosperity by constructing connections, understanding and belief between individuals within the UK and nations worldwide. We do that by way of our work in arts and tradition, schooling and the English language. We work with individuals in over 200 nations and territories. In 2024–25, we reached 600 million individuals. 
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