Manila summit sets up an ASEAN Center of Excellence for Creative Industries in the Philippines

15 November 2026

Leaders of the Southeast Asian countries have created a regional institution for the creative economy and placed it in the Philippines. The declaration establishing the ASEAN Center of Excellence for Creative Industries, shortened to ACE-CI, was adopted at the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. The centre is to work as a regional hub for research, policy support, exchange of knowledge and training in creative work. It is also asked to encourage digital transformation, spread awareness and protection of intellectual property, and bring emerging technology into creative trades. Member states are urged to use it to build entrepreneurship and skills and to widen access to financing, technology and markets, with small firms, startups, artists, artisans, women, youth, freelancers and local communities named among those to benefit. The declaration says creative goods and services must be commercialised responsibly so that traditional and cultural expression in the region is safeguarded.