“The Philippines is poised to be a global leader in the creative economy by the year 2030’ – Hon. Christopher de Venecia

Hon. Christopher V.P. de Venecia, delivered an inspiring keynote speech at the AIBC Asia conference held at the SMX Convention Centre in Manila. His address centred on the transformative power of the creative economy and the importance of fostering innovation, collaboration, and regulation in the digital age.

De Venecia began by highlighting the significance of the creative economy as a driver of economic growth, cultural exchange, and global influence. He emphasized the convergence of creativity and technology, which has revolutionised business models and opened new avenues for growth in sectors such as digital media and technology.

The Creative Industry Law, passed in 2022, has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth of the creative economy in the Philippines. De Venecia shared key insights and statistics demonstrating the remarkable impact of the law on the country’s GDP and employment landscape. He underscored the importance of responsive regulation, intellectual property rights protection, and support for freelance workers in sustaining this growth trajectory.

Moreover, De Venecia highlighted the role of grassroots initiatives, such as Local Culture and Arts Councils (LCACs), in nurturing emerging talent and preserving cultural heritage at the community level. He emphasised the need for strategic partnerships and global collaborations to leverage the Philippines’ creative strengths and enhance its competitiveness on the world stage.

The keynote also addressed the Philippines’ ranking as a global leader in the export of creative goods – ‘the Philippines is poised to be a global leader in the creative economy as we envision it by the year 2030.’ 

However, “The government and the private sector must address challenges like safeguarding intellectual property rights, providing responsive  regulation to matters such as AI, and of course supporting even our freelance or gig workers which are really the critical mass.”

De Venecia outlined the government’s initiatives, including the Philippine Creative Industry Fund and partnerships with UNESCO-designated creative cities, aimed at unlocking this potential and promoting socio-economic progress.

Furthermore, De Venecia underscored the potential of technology and intellectual property in driving innovation and collaboration across diverse creative sectors. He emphasised the need for synergies between traditional cultural expressions and cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, augmented reality, and virtual reality, to move the creative economy forward.

“Our commitment lies at cultivating an ecosystem that fosters creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, providing fertile ground for talent to flourish. We firmly believe in the transformative potential of the creative economy. 

“As the world increasingly recognizes the value of creative content, design, and entertainment, the Philippines stands ready to seize opportunities in this burgeoning market.”

De Venecia urged stakeholders to seize opportunities in the digital age and embrace a holistic approach to nurturing the creative economy.