ASEAN, France Strengthen Regional Cultural and Creative Networks

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - France and ASEAN launched the Creative ASEAN- FRANCE at the French Ambassador’s Residence in Jakarta on Thursday, September 10, 2026, as a regional initiative to strengthen cooperation in the arts, culture, and cultural and creative industries. The program involves France and all 11 ASEAN member states, with the aim of expanding cross-border collaboration and increasing the visibility of the region’s creative sectors.

French Ambassador to ASEAN Fabien Penone, said Creative ASEAN was established to connect various cultural collaborations that have already been taking place across Southeast Asia in a more systematic way. He said the regional approach could provide greater opportunities for artists and creative industry professionals to develop cross-border partnerships.

“Creative ASEAN seeks to build on these existing dynamics, to connect them more systematically, and to give them greater regional visibility,” Penone said. He noted that existing cooperation across Southeast Asia demonstrates the potential of a stronger regional approach to cultural collaboration.

Penone cited cooperation between Indonesia and France through the Indonesia-France Film Lab, which has developed through the JAFF market in Yogyakarta. The initiative has attracted professionals from more than 14 countries, connecting filmmakers with French expertise and an increasingly wider ASEAN professional ecosystem.

Creative ASEAN will feature at least one flagship program in each ASEAN member state, resulting in at least 11 initiatives across the region. The programs may include art residencies, professional exchanges, workshops, and collaborative activities involving artists, curators, creative entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers.

From Indonesia, Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha said Indonesia was ready to participate in various international cooperation programs in culture and the creative industries, including through Creative ASEAN. He said Indonesia was also preparing a national talent management ecosystem to introduce Indonesian creative talents to audiences around the world.

“We are preparing the national talent management ecosystem, a website, so all the world can see our talents,” Giring said. He added that the talent management initiative covers five areas currently being developed: film, music, culture, performing arts, literature, and painting.

In addition to exchange and collaboration programs, Creative ASEAN will establish a regional digital platform connecting artists, cultural institutions, and creative industry professionals from ASEAN and France. The platform will provide information on cultural and creative organizations, program opportunities, artist stories, reports, case studies, and tools for building professional networks and collaborations.