Melaka: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) will host an International Workshop on the Melaka Declaration on Cultural Heritage Value Creation from July 23 to 24 at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage City of Melaka.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry’s Corporate Communication Unit stated that the two-day workshop will be jointly organised with the ASEAN Secretariat and strategic partners, Think City and Telekom Malaysia Berhad. The workshop aims to harness Southeast Asia’s cultural heritage to catalyze economic growth, social cohesion, and creative innovation.

The event will gather over 100 participants, including cultural experts, academics, creative economy leaders, representatives from ASEAN Member States, SOMCA (Senior Officials’ Meeting on Culture and Arts), and stakeholders. The workshop will feature panel discussions, breakout dialogues, and plenary sessions focusing on heritage conservation and value creation.

Participants will discuss maximizing the socio-economic potential of ASEAN’s cultural heritage by enhancing its value chain for economic growth and strengthening regional cooperation through ASEAN frameworks and cross-pillar collaboration. The workshop also aims to promote public awareness, community engagement in heritage preservation, and integrate culture and heritage into sustainable development policies.

The Melaka Declaration, the main outcome of the workshop, will contribute to an ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) outcome document, targeted for adoption at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. It seeks to enhance cultural cooperation, expand economic opportunities, and promote appreciation of ASEAN’s shared heritage.