Salem Al Qassimi reiterates role of culture in sustainable development

emirates7 - Shaikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, the UAE Minister of Culture, highlighted the country's commitment to incorporating culture into sustainable development and climate action during his participation at the G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting in Salvador, Brazil.

In his speech, Al Qassimi emphasized the UAE's role in promoting global cooperation to make culture a central component of sustainable development. He also underscored the UAE's leadership in advocating for climate action through cultural initiatives, which, he said, foster inclusive and equitable economic growth.

“Culture not only preserves heritage but also offers innovative solutions to global challenges like climate change,” Al Qassimi stated. “In the face of a changing climate, culture strengthens our resilience.”

The Minister pointed out the UAE and Brazil's joint efforts in establishing the Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA), a coalition that promotes climate action through cultural perspectives. He expressed pride that both the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience and the GFCBCA were highlighted in the G20 Culture Ministers' Declaration, reflecting the global importance of combining cultural and resilient approaches to climate issues.

He also stressed the importance of measuring the cultural and creative industries' contributions, noting that understanding trends, consumer preferences, and areas for innovation helps shape regulations and incentives to nurture the creative sector. "We are working with global partners to develop mechanisms for collecting data from the creative sector, which will guide the future of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI)," Al Qassimi said.

The UAE delegation also actively participated in the fourth Culture Working Group (CWG) meeting, where they contributed to discussions on four key areas: the protection and restitution of cultural property, using living heritage for sustainability, promoting cultural and creative industries, and leveraging digital technologies for culture. These discussions influenced the G20 Culture Ministers' Declaration.

The CWG dialogues aim to deepen countries' understanding of the role of culture in a rapidly changing world, fostering partnerships and promoting principles like peace, sustainable development, and dialogue.

This year, the G20 Summit, hosted by Brazil, focuses on "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet." The UAE is participating as a guest for the third consecutive year, having also joined the 2023 G20 meetings under India's presidency, the 2022 meetings under Indonesia, and the 2020 meetings under Saudi Arabia's leadership. The UAE first participated in 2011, as a guest invited by the French presidency.