(Singapore, 7th) Singapore, along with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, jointly submitted historical documents regarding the founding of ASEAN, which have successfully been included in UNESCO's 'Memory of the World International Register'.
Singapore's National Library Board announced on Tuesday (May 6) that the related documents were officially included in the register on April 17. This nomination was initiated by the National Archives of Singapore in collaboration with the national archives agencies of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, with support from Southeast Asian members of the International Council on Archives.
This is the first time documents from Singapore have been selected for this register. The submitted 33 documents record important milestones in the founding of ASEAN from 1967 to 1976, including the 1967 ASEAN Declaration, oral histories, and audio recordings.
The National Archives of Singapore provided 17 documents, including the speech audio by then Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam at ASEAN's founding, and valuable records such as a photo of the foreign ministers of the five founding member countries.
National Library Board Chief Executive Officer Ng Cher Pong pointed out that the inclusion of ASEAN founding documents in the 'Memory of the World Register' not only underscores the historical value of ASEAN but also reflects the strong cooperation between Singapore and its neighboring countries. He said, 'This is the result of close collaboration among the countries, which also reflects the regional partnership spirit emphasized in ASEAN's founding.'
Ng Cher Pong stated that as Singapore and the Southeast Asian region continue to rise in influence, the Board looks forward to working with partners to preserve, pass down, and showcase the region's rich cultural heritage to the world.
UNESCO's April 17 announcement noted that a total of 74 new documents from 72 countries and four international organizations were included in the 'Memory of the World Register' this time, bringing the total to 570 items, covering themes such as the scientific revolution, women's contributions to history, and multilateralism.
This is the first time documents from Singapore have been selected for this register. The submitted 33 documents record important milestones in the founding of ASEAN from 1967 to 1976, including the 1967 ASEAN Declaration, oral histories, and audio recordings.
The National Archives of Singapore provided 17 documents, including the speech audio by then Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam at ASEAN's founding, and valuable records such as a photo of the foreign ministers of the five founding member countries.
National Library Board Chief Executive Officer Ng Cher Pong pointed out that the inclusion of ASEAN founding documents in the 'Memory of the World Register' not only underscores the historical value of ASEAN but also reflects the strong cooperation between Singapore and its neighboring countries. He said, 'This is the result of close collaboration among the countries, which also reflects the regional partnership spirit emphasized in ASEAN's founding.'
Ng Cher Pong stated that as Singapore and the Southeast Asian region continue to rise in influence, the Board looks forward to working with partners to preserve, pass down, and showcase the region's rich cultural heritage to the world.
UNESCO's April 17 announcement noted that a total of 74 new documents from 72 countries and four international organizations were included in the 'Memory of the World Register' this time, bringing the total to 570 items, covering themes such as the scientific revolution, women's contributions to history, and multilateralism.