The UAE participates in the fourth meeting of the Cultural Working Group within the G20 in South Africa
Abu Dhabi, 5 November / WAM / The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Culture, participated in the fourth meeting of the Cultural Working Group of the Group of Twenty (G20), which was held in Zimbali in the city of KwaDukuza in the Republic of South Africa, with the aim of enhancing cultural cooperation between member states, and highlighting the importance of culture as a strategic tool for achieving sustainable development.
His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, headed the country’s delegation during the meeting, which witnessed the adoption of the “Kuwadukuza Declaration” of the G20 culture ministers, with the participation of culture ministers and high-level representatives from the group’s countries and invited countries, along with international organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the African World Heritage Fund. “AWHF”, and Interpol.
During the meeting, His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi stressed that culture has today become a fundamental pillar of sustainable development and a driver of global cooperation and economic and social innovation, pointing out the importance of enhancing the contribution of culture to the global economy and protecting all actors within the cultural creativity system.
His Excellency stressed the fundamental role of culture in global policies, pointing out that the “Kwadukuza Declaration” will contribute to consolidating the position of culture as a major catalyst for achieving sustainable development goals, explaining that this includes enhancing international cooperation in the areas of culture-based climate action, the creative economy, and the protection of global cultural heritage.
On the sidelines of the meeting, His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi met with a number of government representatives and prominent figures in the cultural field, to discuss ways to enhance cultural cooperation and exchange experiences, including His Excellency Margaret Menezes, Minister of Culture of Brazil, His Excellency Felipe Silvino de Peña Zao, Minister of Culture of Angola, and His Excellency Lubna Jaafari, Minister of Culture and Equality of Norway.
The UAE’s participation in the fourth meeting of the G20 Cultural Working Group confirms its commitment to enhancing its active role in international cultural platforms, and its recognition of culture as a strong catalyst for sustainable development, and a major contributor to confronting environmental, social and economic challenges.
This participation also reflects the country’s leadership in the cultural and creative economy and climate action, in line with its national strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and employing culture as an essential element in achieving climate action goals.
The “KwaDukuza Declaration” of the G20 Ministers of Culture highlights the importance of the vital intersection between culture and climate change, with a focus on protecting cultural heritage and preserving the knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities in light of climate challenges. It also recognizes the major role of culture in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, and preserving biological diversity, through the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage, and the promotion of cultural and creative sectors.
The KwaDukuza Declaration highlights the UAE’s leadership, particularly through the adoption of the UAE Global Climate Resilience Framework during COP28, which sets a goal to protect cultural heritage from climate risks.
The UAE-Belem work program on indicators and the establishment of the “Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action – GFCBCA” reflect the country’s commitment to promoting culture-based climate strategies.
The declaration calls for enhancing cooperation in building knowledge, developing indicators for protecting cultural heritage, and including non-economic losses within climate action efforts, which enhances the UAE’s pivotal role in integrating culture into efforts to enhance global climate resilience.
It is noteworthy that the UAE is participating in the summit for the fourth time in a row, having previously been invited to it in the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in addition to its historical participation in the 2011 and 2020 editions.
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