"The hunger for change is universal, and at the outset of the present global financial crisis, the call for a revolution echoes more strongly," said the chairwoman, adding that culture and the arts had become "weapons" in the country to fight social problems such as poverty, drugs and terrorism.

According to her, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has added a whole chapter in the country's "Medium Term Development Plan", recognizing culture and the arts as a major force for education and catalyst for social transformation.

Labrador revealed this year the NCCA launched an experimental program titled "Artists for Crisis," which aimed to invite Lumad, Moro, and Christian artist groups to set up creative arts workshops for children and women, a special group vulnerable to social and familial problems amid the crisis.

"The economic crisis has caused us to more seriously emphasize soft power as a breakthrough measure," said Hideo Tamai, commissioner of Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Japan's supplementary budget for the current fiscal year has greater allocations for areas such as the enhancement of national art galleries, museums, and theaters, as well as comprehensive centers and preservation, experimentation, and diffusion of new culture and arts.

According to Hideo Tamai, Japan has been organizing the "World Cultural Forum" to promote understanding of Asian culture and making it a tradition to set up "exchange years" with other Asian countries.

For 2009, the agency is supporting the "Mekong-Japan Exchange Year," which includes exchange projects ranging from traditional culture to modern media arts in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos.

Ministers from other countries, including Japan, Singapore and Thailand, will also make speeches on cultural development during the afternoon session. An agreement to boost cultural cooperation among Asian countries is expected to be signed at the end of the meeting.

The 11th Asia Arts Festival, sponsored by China's Ministry of Culture, runs from Aug. 18 to 26. It is the first time it has been held in China's western region.

The festival will also feature art exhibitions and performances of troupes from 18 Asian nations.

Editor: Dong Jirong