Melaka Selected To Host The 11th AMCA Meeting

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- For the first time, Melaka has been selected to host the 11th ASEAN Ministers of Culture and Arts (AMCA) Meeting , which will take place over six days from Oct 21 to 26. 

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) secretary-general Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman stated that in conjunction with the biennial meeting, chaired on a rotating basis among ASEAN member countries, there would also be the AMCA meetings with dialogue partners (AMCA+3).

“The purpose of this meeting is to strengthen relationships and cooperation in the fields of culture and arts among ASEAN member countries, as well as with dialogue partners (ASEAN+3), namely the People’s Republic of China, Japan and South Korea.

“This collaboration includes efforts in the preservation, conservation, promotion and appreciation of the rich culture, arts and heritage of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural ASEAN people,” he said in an exclusive interview on Bernama Radio here today.

He said 10 ministers and some 700 delegates from ASEAN countries were expected to attend the meeting, which would also include representatives from the three ASEAN dialogue partner countries.

Themed Bridging Cultures, Building Futures: Unity in Diversity, he said the meeting would discuss forms of cooperation and contributions from ASEAN countries in preserving culture and arts towards establishing an ASEAN Community with a diverse cultural identity.

He added that the meeting would also discuss policies to strengthen understanding among cultures that touched on regional interests.

According to Roslan, the AMCA meeting would be preceded by the 20th Senior Officials Meeting for ASEAN Responsible for Culture and Arts (SOMCA) and the 20th Senior Officials Meeting for ASEAN+3 Responsible for Culture and Arts with Dialogue Partners (SOMCA+3).

“The SOMCA meeting will discuss the direction and key issues regarding cooperation in various aspects of culture, arts and heritage, and the resolutions will be submitted to the 11th AMCA Meeting for consideration and validation,” he said.

Meanwhile, State Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman said in conjunction with the AMCA meeting, the AMCA Gala Dinner would be held on Oct 24 at Dataran Pengkalan Rama. featuring the ASEAN Festival of Arts (AFA), where 150 artists would showcase their authentic cultural performances.

Speaking at a press conference on the organisation of the International Cultural & Arts Festival @ Sungai Melaka (ICAF) 2024, Abdul Razak said the event would feature the ASEAN Festival of Arts (AFA), where 150 artists would showcase their authentic cultural performances.

Regarding ICAF 2024, he said that the programme would feature a combination of several major events, such as the AMCA Gala Dinner, the AFA, the Melaka River Festival, the Strait of Melaka Arts Festival, and the International Folk Art Festival (CIOFF).

“Approximately 1,000 delegates from cultural and arts groups representing the 10 ASEAN countries, dialogue partners, and Timor-Leste are expected to participate in this festival,” said Roslan.

Commenting on Melaka’s selection as the host for the 11th AMCA meeting, Roslan said it served as a two-pronged strategy to promote the tourism sector in Melaka, in line with Visit Melaka Year 2024.

He added that collaboration with the state government provided an opportunity to introduce, promote, and market the dynamic tourism and cultural products of Melaka, as well as Malaysia, to the international market.

-- BERNAMA