Singapore achieves its first inscription on UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register on documentary heritage with historic records chronicling ASEAN's formation, jointly nominated with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
6 May 2025 — Archival records related to “The Birth of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)” have been accepted into UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MoW) International Register on 17 April 2025. The International Register lists documentary heritage which has world significance and outstanding universal value[1]. This nomination was jointly submitted by the National Archives of Singapore (NAS), the National Archives of Malaysia, the National Archives of Indonesia, and the Thai Film Archives, with the support of the members of the Southeast Asian Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (Please refer to Annex A). For 2025, a total of 74 new items of documentary heritage have been inscribed on the MoW International Register, including The Geneva Conventions (1864, 1906, 1929, 1949) and their Additional Protocols (1977, 2005).
This marks Singapore’s and NLB’s first inscription into UNESCO’s MoW International Register. The inscription’s archives span the years of 1967 to 1976 and chronicle the establishment of ASEAN by its five founding countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The collection contains 33 records, including the 1967 ASEAN Declaration, and in total features 16 textual files, one photo, one film, three audio files, and 12 oral history interview recordings. NAS contributed 17 records to the collection, which include oral history interviews, recordings and images. Notable contributions include a photograph of all the Foreign Ministers from the five founding ASEAN members, an audio recording of the speech from Singapore’s then Minister for Foreign Affairs S. Rajaratnam at the inauguration of ASEAN, and oral history accounts from various government officials relating to the formation of ASEAN including SR Nathan and S Dhanabalan. The recordings deal directly with circumstances surrounding the 1967 Bangkok Declaration. Patrons can view NAS’ submission of records on Archives Online under Annex B.
These archives underscore ASEAN’s mission to foster cultural development in Southeast Asia, building mutual trust and active collaboration among neighbouring countries. They also serve as evidence that newly independent, relatively small countries have their own agency in shaping international policies toward a more peaceful and stable landscape.
NLB's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: "The inscription of The Birth of ASEAN into UNESCO's Memory of the World International Register is a testament to ASEAN's historical significance and underscores the deep connections Singapore shares with our neighbours. As Singapore's Memory Institution and Storyteller, NLB is committed to preserving and making accessible our documentary heritage for present and future generations. This milestone, achieved through close collaboration with the National Archives of Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Thai Film Archives, and supported by members of the Southeast Asian Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives, exemplifies the spirit of regional partnership that ASEAN was founded upon. As Singapore’s and Southeast Asia's influence continues to grow globally, we look forward to strengthening these partnerships to safeguard and share our region's rich heritage with the world."
Singapore previously received two inscriptions in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) Regional Register. In 2022, NLB’s Historical Asian Children’s Literature Collection (HACL) was recognised for its cultural heritage. In 2014, the Asian Film Archive (AFA), an NLB subsidiary, was similarly recognised for its efforts to preserve significant documentary heritage through its Cathay-Keris Malay Classics Collection of 91 historically and culturally important Malay language films from the 1950s to 1970s.
Established in 1992, UNESCO’s MoW Programme (MOWP) aims to facilitate preservation, catalyse universal access and enhance public awareness of the significance of documentary heritage. Documentary heritage, recognised by MOWP to be of international, regional and national significance, is included in the MOWP register every two years.
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About National Library Board
The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. NLB also forges strategic partnerships that encourage awareness, appreciation and greater discovery of Singapore's history through its rich collections in Singapore and the region.
NLB achieves excellence through innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and co-creation, resource and digital innovation. This creates learning opportunities, greater access to library resources, services, and archival collections, as well as a continual development of innovative library spaces. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).
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For media queries, please contact:
Koh Zhi Min
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Quah Jia Ling
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Annex
Annex A – UNESCO Memory of the World Register
Annex B – NAS' contributions to The Birth of ASEAN archival collection