The UAE’s Ministry of Culture and Youth highlighted the importance of communicational and educational tools to create awareness and promote and preserve cultural heritage at the First G20 Culture Working Group (CWG).
Held under the Indian Presidency, and attended by the G20 members, invited countries, and international organizations such as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the meeting took place in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India.
This was the first of the four meetings of the CWG during which members shared views on the four priority areas for a planned way forward in 2023. The members discussed the challenges and opportunities in the cultural ecosystem on a global scale, prioritizing protecting cultural heritage, promoting living heritage for sustainable development, ensuring the resilience of cultural and creative industries and leveraging digital technologies for the protection and promotion of culture.
The UAE delegation also reiterated the need for global cooperation and coordination to protect cultural heritage and emphasized the importance of recognizing illicit trafficking as a cross-territorial challenge. Creating a G20 Culture Working Group Taskforce to protect cultural objects was also proposed.
The UAE delegation showcased its experience in safeguarding and promoting living and natural heritage illustrating the importance of leveraging sustainable traditional practices to advance the SDGs.
The importance of the resilience of the culture and creative industries, and the need for protecting the status of culture practitioners was discussed extensively. The UAE also shed light on its National Creative Relief Fund, as well as the facilities provided to creatives to live and work in the country.
Members discussed the role of technology in the culture industry, particularly in driving cultural tourism, where the UAE reiterated the importance of leveraging technological benefits to ensure users' access to cultural activities by establishing G20 standards for developing interoperable, connected, and accessible digital heritage platforms and databases. The threats emerging from technological trends, were also highlighted.
The next meeting will occur later this year at a date to be set by the India Presidency to discuss the progress made on the 2023 work plan. – TradeArabia News Service
UAE highlights cultural priorities at G20 meeting
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