Over two days, from 20 to 21 July 2023, the Partnership of Bible Societies and the Catholic Church in(Asia Pacific Catholic Affinity (APCA) Group) held a meeting at the Bible Centre Building (GPA), which is the headquarters of the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) in Salemba, Jakarta. The meeting was attended by representatives from Bible Societies from several countries, including: India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, as well as a delegation from the Catholic Church, the Executive Board of the Indonesian Biblical Society (LBI), representatives from various churches, and several relevant staff members from the Indonesian Bible Society. In addition, there were 33 participants from overseas who joined the meeting via the Zoom app.

The main objective of this two-day meeting was to strengthen and expand cooperation between Bible Societies in the Asia-Pacific region and the Catholic Church at national, regional and international levels. One of the initiatives promoted for this purpose is the publication and adaptation of the book *Identity: Identified – New Testament*, namely the New Testament published by the United Bible Societies (United Bible Societies (UBS)) and designed specifically for young Catholics.

This APCA meeting in Jakarta will serve as a common foundation for closer cooperation between the Bible Societies and the Catholic Church. Furthermore, through joint meetings and discussions, the two organisations have reached a shared vision for spreading the Good News, which will be implemented through collaborative projects involving the translation, distribution and engagement with the Holy Scriptures at national, regional and international levels. 

Following the development and adaptation of the book “Identity: Identified”, the “Identity: Identified” mobile app was launched on 21 July. The app aims to broaden the reach of the message from the “Come and Follow Me” programme. The launch of this app is the result of a collaboration between the Indonesian Bible Society and the APCA Group. It was a special occasion, as the launch was blessed and led by Father Arlo from the Philippines.

Overall, all participants at the meeting agreed to expand the partnership between Bible Societies and the Catholic Church and to explore new ideas and ways to achieve this objective.  One such initiative is to adapt and disseminate the book “Identity: Identified – New Testament”.