PH Hosts 54th ASEAN COCI Meeting
The heads of delegation of the ten ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Secretariat. (Photo courtesy of PTV4)
PUERTO PRINCESA 19 September 2019 – The Philippines hosted the 54th Meeting of ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (54th COCI) on 19-23 August 2019 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The meeting, chaired by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary George A. Apacible, was attended by COCI delegates from the ten ASEAN Member States.
The 54th COCI discussed updates on ongoing culture and information projects and endorsed new projects for implementation in 2020, such as the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts 2020, ASEAN Workshop on the preservation and Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, and the Voice of ASEAN-Beyond Boundaries, among others.
The Philippines proposed “Faces of ASEAN: Opportunities for All” which will involve the development, production and airing of one- to two-minute video materials or infomercials that will contribute not only in raising public awareness of the ASEAN but also in presenting solid proofs on how ASEAN provides opportunities for its peoples and the positive impact it can make on their lives.
In his opening remarks, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella emphasized the important role of COCI in developing pride in ASEAN identity, preserving culture, and opening up to the world.
Undersecretary Abella also highlighted the importance of building upon our achievements. He encouraged the delegates to continue creating projects that “would build on ASEAN identity and to consciously uphold the values of tolerance, mutual understanding, and respect for ASEAN togetherness”.
As part of the event, ASEAN Awareness Forums were held at the Palawan State University (PSU), where almost 1,000 college students attended, and at the Princesa Garden Island Hotel which were attended by multi-sectoral participants. The forum aimed to further promote ASEAN awareness among government officials, students, youth and all stakeholders and to promote 2019 as the ASEAN Year of Culture.
The topics discussed were ASEAN as a Community of Opportunities, Strengthening Education and Socio-Cultural Linkages in BIMP-EAGA, ASEAN’s Marine Biodiversity, The Philippines and the ASEAN Tourism Cooperation, and ASEAN’s #cyberREADI Campaign.
The COCI delegates were delighted by cultural performances of Bayang Barrios at Ang Naliyagan, the Palawan Singers, the PSU Sining Palawan Dance Troupe, and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.
Established in 1978, the ASEAN-COCI facilitates the coordination and implementation of ASEAN culture and information programs, projects, and the management of the ASEAN Cultural Fund, with the goal of increasing ASEAN awareness and promoting the region’s culture and arts.
The national COCI secretariat consists of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Information Agency, People’s Television Network, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The 55th ASEAN-COCI will be hosted by Singapore in 2020. END