Amman:Culture Minister Mustafa Rawashdeh engaged in discussions on Thursday with ambassadors and representatives from five Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to explore ways to enhance cultural cooperation.
According to Jordan News Agency, the discussions focused on expanding artistic and knowledge exchanges and finalizing cultural memorandums of understanding. The meeting took place at the Royal Cultural Center, where Minister Rawashdeh emphasized the importance of deepening cultural ties with Southeast Asian countries. He highlighted the potential benefits for Jordan from these countries' expertise in areas such as archiving, documentation, and linking culture to the economy.
Rawashdeh suggested launching an ASEAN cultural week in Jordan and encouraged greater Jordanian participation in cultural events hosted by ASEAN nations. He also called for increased involvement of ASEAN countries in the Jerash Festival through folklore performances and cultural pavilions, aiming to foster cultural exchange and understanding.
The meeting included a review of existing and pending memorandums of understanding, along with discussions on developing joint programs in culture, arts, archiving, and heritage documentation. The ambassadors affirmed their countries' strong relations with Jordan and expressed enthusiasm for enhancing these ties through joint cultural initiatives and artistic events.
The meeting was attended by Brunei Darussalam Ambassador Noor Al-Huda Ahmad, Indonesian Ambassador Haji Ade Padmo Sarwono, Malaysian Embassy Charge d'Affaires Mohammad Irfan Zulkarnain, Philippine Ambassador Wilfredo Santos, and Thai Ambassador Jiraporn Jirampaikool, along with other diplomats and embassy representatives.