SEACCN MoU renewed in KL uniting Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines to advance creative economy
PETALING JAYA: In a landmark move to elevate Southeast Asia’s creative economy on the global stage, creative leaders from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines gathered in Kuala Lumpur to renew the Southeast Asian Creative Cities Network (SEACCN) Memorandum of Understanding, signaling a unified commitment to creativity-led urban development across the region.
The historic signing ceremony, held on November 15, 2025, and hosted by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Think City, brings together four national organisations representing a region of more than 600 million people, all dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of culture and creativity for sustainable urban growth.
A Strategic Alliance for Regional Competitiveness
Officiated by YBhg. Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, Secretary General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), the renewed MoU reinforces a stronger, unified regional commitment to advance creativity-led urban development and boost Southeast Asia’s global competitiveness.
The four signatories represent the driving force behind their nations’ creative economy agendas:
Malaysia: Think City (Managing Director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed)
Thailand: Creative Economy Agency (Senior Specialist Montinee Yongvikul)
Indonesia: Creative Cities Network (Executive Committee Dwinita Larasati)
Philippines: Creative Economy Council (President & Founder Paolo Mercado)
Timely Recognition and Regional Momentum
The renewal comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with Kuala Lumpur’s recent designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Design—a recognition that underscores the rising momentum for creativity-driven development across Southeast Asia.
“In Malaysia, culture and creativity have long been central to our national identity. From the richness of our tradition to the vibrancy of our creative industry, these sectors have shaped how we see ourselves, how we express who we are and how we connect with the rest of the world,” Shaharuddin said in his launching address, describing the renewed MoU as a meaningful step forward for the region’s creative ecosystem.
Shared Challenges, Collective Solutions
Hamdan emphasised the strategic importance of regional collaboration, noting that Southeast Asian cities face similar urban and social challenges and stand to gain significantly from deeper cooperation.
“Cities across the region are rediscovering the power of culture and creativity, not just as soft assets but as strategic drivers of regeneration, identity and resilience,” Hamdan said, referencing the Warisan Kuala Lumpur initiative launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as an example of how cultural heritage can reignite urban vitality.
Six Pillars of Collaborative Action
The renewed MoU establishes a comprehensive framework centered on placing culture and creativity at the heart of urban regeneration and economic development. The network will focus on six key action areas:
Knowledge Exchange: Facilitating the sharing of best practices and innovative approaches
Joint Regional Projects: Collaborative initiatives that leverage collective strengths
Professional Exchanges: Connecting artists, academics, and policymakers across borders
Research and Evaluation: Building evidence-based approaches to creative urbanism
Policy Support: Strengthening frameworks that enable creative economies to thrive
Public Awareness: Promoting wider understanding and access to culture
Unlocking Southeast Asia’s Creative Potential
“We are a region of more than 600 million people, yet we have not fully unlocked our collaborative strength. Southeast Asia’s creative scene has long been a hidden gem,” noted Mercado, highlighting the untapped potential of regional cooperation.
Montinee from Thailand emphasised the timeliness of the MoU renewal, stating, “There is growing acceptance from governments in the region on the importance of the creative economy. This MoU will further enhance collaboration to elevate culture, design and creativity as drivers of prosperity.”
From Grassroots to Policy: The Indonesian Success Story
Dwinita Larasati shared Indonesia’s experience in translating creative momentum into legislative action, illustrating how local wins can feed into regional progress. “In Bandung, the NGOs, academia and creative practitioners successfully pushed to get the Creative Economy Bill passed. That was a win as it set a legal baseline for the creative economy,” she said.
A Decade of Impact, A Future of Expansion
Founded in 2014, SEACCN emerged at a time when the creative economy was not yet widely recognized as part of national development strategies. Over the past decade, cities in the network have shared best practices, co-hosted festivals and design weeks, and introduced creative urbanism programs that addressed local social, economic, and environmental needs.
The renewed MoU now positions the network to expand its membership, welcoming more cities—especially those aspiring to develop creativity-driven urban agendas—and partners across sectors who share an interest in cultural and creative development.
A Unified Voice on the Global Stage
With more Southeast Asian governments now embracing creativity as a driver of growth, the renewed MoU positions the region to move forward with stronger alignment, deeper cooperation, and a unified voice on the global stage.
A panel discussion titled “Shaping Creative Cities In Southeast Asia,” moderated by Sustainability Cities Advisor Neil Khor and featuring Think City Senior Director Izan Satrina alongside the MoU signatories, provided insights into the practical implementation of the network’s vision.
As Southeast Asia continues to assert its presence in the global creative economy, the renewed SEACCN partnership represents more than just a framework for collaboration—it’s a declaration that the region’s cities are ready to lead through culture, creativity, and collective action.
For more information about Think City and SEACCN, visit thinkcity.com.my.
