At the inaugural G20 Culture Working Group (CWG), the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth highlighted the importance of communication and educational tools to raise awareness and promote and preserve cultural heritage.
The meeting was held in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India, with India serving as the rotating presidency. Members of the G20, invited countries and international organizations such as UNESCO attended.
This was the first of four meetings of the CWG where members exchanged views on four priority areas for the 2023 plan to move forward. Members discussed the challenges and opportunities of cultural ecosystems globally, prioritizing the preservation of cultural heritage, promoting sustainable living heritage, ensuring the resilience of cultural and creative industries, and using digital technologies to preserve and promote culture.
The UAE delegation also reiterated the need for global cooperation and coordination to safeguard cultural heritage, and emphasized the importance of illicit trafficking as a cross-territorial challenge. It is also proposed to create a G20 Culture Working Group working group to protect cultural relics.
The UAE delegation showcased its experience in protecting and promoting biological and natural heritage, illustrating the importance of using sustainable traditional practices to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
The importance of resilience in cultural and creative industries, and the need to protect the status of cultural practitioners was extensively discussed. The UAE also shed light on its National Creative Relief Fund, and facilities for creatives to live and work in the country.
Members discussed the role of technology in the cultural industry, particularly in driving cultural tourism, and the UAE reiterated the importance of leveraging technology to ensure user participation in cultural events by establishing G20 standards to develop interoperable, connected and Accessible digital heritage platforms and databases. Threats posed by technological trends are also highlighted.
The next meeting will be held later this year at a date to be determined by the Indian presidency to discuss progress on the 2023 work plan. – trade arab news agency