VIENTIANE, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Protecting, preserving and promoting South-East Asia's rich cultural patrimony was on the agenda as ministers from across the region discussed a proposal for greater coordination at a meeting opened by Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in the Lao capital Wednesday.
The Vientiane Declaration on Reinforcing Cultural Heritage Cooperation will be considered for adoption at the 16th Meeting of Social-Cultural Community (ASCC) Ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The declaration is considered one of the top priorities of Laos' 2016 chairmanship of the association, along with the Vientiane Declaration on Transition from Informal Employment to Formal Employment towards Decent Work Promotion in ASEAN adopted in June.
Illicit trafficking and other threats including natural disasters, climate change, unsustainable tourism, rapid urbanization, including threats emanating from poverty and marginalization are among the risk factors cited in the draft declaration up for ministerial endorsement that calls for coordinated efforts to protect South-East Asia's tangible cultural assets.
The ASCC meeting comes as Laos prepares to welcome regional and world leaders to the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits, the East Asia Summit and associated meetings in Vientiane on Sept. 6-8 including those of ASEAN dialogue partners.
