Joint Statement

The Culture Ministers of the Republic of Korea and the participating South Asian countries, namely, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Kingdom of Bhutan, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, convened for the inaugural meeting of the Korea-South Asia Culture Ministers Meeting held in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, on 18 October 2014.

We welcomed the establishment of the Asian Culture Complex, a project which is currently being carried out by Korea as a platform to strengthen existing cooperation between Korea and South Asian countries in the area of arts and culture. We agreed to cooperate on the following areas in order to enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of Korea and South Asian countries.

1. Promoting Mutual Understanding Between Korea and South Asian Countries

1-1. We will endeavor to promote cultural understanding between the peoples of Korea and South Asian countries, by showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage and arts of South Asian countries at the Asian Culture Complex.

1-2. We will endeavor to hold the Cultural Festivals of each country at the Asian Culture Complex to showcase the richness and diversity of South Asian cultures.

1-3. We will endeavor to pursue effective channels of communication between Korea and South Asian countries, including possibility of establishing Cultural Information System to promote arts and cultural exchanges.

2. Cooperation in Cultural Resources Conservation and Utilization

2-1. We will endeavor to share our experiences in conserving and utilizing the cultural resources of each country and strengthen cooperation between cultural, heritage and artistic institutions in order for each country’s unique cultural resources to be recognized in the world.

2-2. We will endeavor to strengthen cooperation through exchanges of best practices of joint research, exhibitions, and the possibility of sharing information and digital archives on cultural heritage.

3. Human Resource Development of Culture, Heritage and Arts Experts

3-1. We will jointly participate in programs that are designed to strengthen competence of experts in areas of cultural heritage, the arts, and cultural industries.

3-2. We will share experiences on the advancement in cultural industries and expand capacity building programs in the area of the arts and culture, including residencies, seminars and workshops for artists and cultural workers.

4. Facilitating Joint Creation and Production

4-1. We will endeavor to facilitate joint creations and human resources exchanges in areas of performances, exhibitions, and arts education through programs such as artist residency and seminars in various genres.

4-2. We agree to study the possibility of participating in a ‘Korea-South Asia Cultural Week’ or ‘South Asian Art Festival’ in order to promote to the world our unique traditional and contemporary arts and culture and raise awareness of the importance of cultural diversity and cultural heritage preservation in Korea and South Asia.

5. Holding the Korea-South Asia Culture Ministers Meeting on a Regular Basis

5-1. We welcome the holding of the Korea-South Asia Culture Ministers Meeting on a regular basis, for harmonious and continuous development of our relationships towards cultural cooperation. The venues of the Korea-South Asia Culture Ministers Meetings could be alternated between Korea and South Asian countries by agreement.

5-2. We welcome Korea’s proposal to convene the Korea-South Asia Culture Ministers Meeting in Gwangju in 2015 for the special occasion of the Asian Culture Complex’s inauguration.

5-3. We will hold the Senior Officials Meetings prior to the Culture Ministers Meetings. In these meetings, we will discuss detailed action plans and/or joint initiatives and programs for the consideration of Korea-South Asia Culture Ministers Meetings.