Dubai to host MENA's first World Cities Culture Summit

emirates7 - The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced that the World Cities Culture Summit 2024 will take place from October 30th to November 1st, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. This event further solidifies Dubai's status as a global leader in the cultural arena.

The summit's theme for this year is “Tomorrow’s Culture: How Will the Next Generation Shape Our World?”, reflecting global cities' efforts to engage youth in reshaping urban life through innovative solutions that contribute to a lasting cultural legacy. Discussions will focus on how cities can support the creative economy, invest in cultural and creative industries, nurture talent, and provide opportunities for future generations to influence the cultural landscape. It will also offer a platform for cultural and creative leaders to exchange knowledge on how culture can help shape sustainable cities.

The summit will begin with an opening ceremony at the Al Shindagha Museum, the UAE’s largest open-air heritage museum. It will feature closed sessions on topics such as the role of youth in cultural policies, funding models for cultural projects, the impact of artificial intelligence on culture, the contribution of creative districts to urban innovation, integrating culture into healthcare, and using culture to address climate change. The summit will also highlight strategies from cities worldwide to empower youth to acquire skills and use advanced technologies to face future challenges. A public session will discuss how cities, the next generation, and cultural professionals must adapt in a rapidly changing digital and globalized world.

The summit will host international speakers in the "Ideas for Tomorrow" sessions, where they will present their visions for the future of culture. Additionally, the third round of the Leadership Exchange Programme, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, will be launched to foster exchanges between cities. The summit will take place at various cultural landmarks and creative hubs across Dubai, giving city delegations the chance to experience the emirate's cultural offerings and support cultural tourism. Dubai Culture will also showcase creative products by Emirati and UAE-based artists, reinforcing the local cultural and creative industries.

Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, emphasized that the summit provides an inspiring platform for cultural leaders to exchange expertise and form strategic partnerships that will shape the future of culture. She highlighted Dubai's role in promoting cultural exchange and building bridges between cultures and communities, further solidifying the city’s position as a global center for culture, creativity, and talent.

Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communication at Dubai Culture, and Project Manager of the summit, noted that this year’s event will focus on how the youth and future generations will influence the cultural landscape and encourage cities to new cultural projects that support the creative economy, which Dubai aims to establish as a global hub by 2026.

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries in London and Founder of the World Cities Culture Forum, expressed excitement about the summit being held in Dubai, a city that brings together over 200 nationalities and serves as a meeting point of diverse cultures. She emphasized the forum's collaborative spirit and the transformative power of culture in addressing global challenges.

The summit, which is the flagship event of the World Cities Culture Forum, serves as a key platform for cultural policymaking. It brings together city leaders from over 45 member cities globally, providing them with the opportunity to share research, explore the role of culture in economic and social development, and collaborate on improving the lives of citizens through culture.