What future for information & communications technology (ICT) within the creative economy? Traditional cultural heritage & the creative economy: shall the twain meet? What are areas of common interest for Asia-Europe co-operation in the creative industries? These questions are high on the agenda of Asian and European Culture Ministers who will meet at the 7th Asia-Europe Culture Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM CMM7; 22-24 June 2016, Gwangju, Korea), being  organised in the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

To channel civil society inputs into this Ministerial meeting, ASEF is organising a panel discussion: Culture and the Creative Economy: What Opportunities for Asia-Europe Exchange and Collaboration? (22 June 2016, Gwangju, Korea), alongside the 2nd Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of ASEM CMM7.  Key messages from the panel discussion on 22 June will be presented to ASEM Culture Ministers on 24 June. As the only permanent institution of ASEM, ASEF has an important function in connecting the views and concerns of civil society in Asia and Europe with reflections at the ASEM level.