ABU DHABI, UAE – UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCY) participated in the First G20 Culture Working Group (CWG) meeting held under the Indian Presidency.
Attended by G20 members, invited countries, and international organizations such as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the meeting recently took place in Khajuraho, 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 and protecting cultural heritage and promoting living heritage for sustainable development.
They also discussed the challenges and opportunities in ensuring the resilience of cultural and creative industries and leveraging digital technologies for the protection and promotion of culture.
The UAE delegation highlighted the importance of communication and educational tools to create awareness and promote and preserve cultural heritage.
They 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.
The UAE delegation also proposed the creation of a G20 Culture Working Group Taskforce to protect such objects.
They showcased the UAE’s experience in safeguarding and promoting living and natural heritage, illustrating the importance of leveraging sustainable traditional practices to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The importance of the resilience of the culture and creative industries and the need to protect the status of their practitioners was discussed extensively.
The UAE also shed light on its National Creative Relief Fund.
The members discussed the role of technology in the culture industry, particularly in driving tourism.
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.
They also highlighted the threats emerging from technological trends.
The next meeting will occur later this year at a date to be set by the Indian Presidency to discuss the progress made on the 2023 work plan.