UAE draws roadmap for culture economy
dubai — A UAE Cultural Development Fund announced on Monday will provide the resources needed to support cultural activities within the country. It will also encourage projects and initiatives aimed at promoting the development of the UAE cultural products.
The fund will boost the role of the private sector in the process of cultural and knowledge development.
The government will also work on developing a Creative Industries Contributions Index that will reflect an unambiguous structure of the economic returns of cultural activities. The index will highlight the role of the cultural sector in supporting economic development within the country.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, directed the launch of both the initiatives as he attended the Future of Culture Retreat organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Economy, culture and politics are components that interact to create a nation, and build a state ... The development of our country depends on a well-established and forward-looking culture.”
He said the UAE’s culture represents the identity of “our generations, and reflects the depth of our history”. “It is our message that we want to convey to the world in the most creative way. Our Emirati culture promotes the spirit of love, tolerance, and calls for openness to other cultures. The spirit and identity of our culture is inspired from Arab and Islamic civilisations,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Highlighting the importance of the Arabic language, Sheikh Mohammed added: “Arabic language is the backbone of our culture. Preserving our language is a pivotal prerequisite to develop our knowledge, instil our identity and develop our culture.”
Our Emirati culture promotes the spirit of love, tolerance, and calls for openness to other cultures. The spirit and identity of our culture is inspired from Arab and Islamic civilisations Sheikh Mohammed
dubai — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday directed the launch of a UAE Cultural Development Fund to support cultural activities within the country and encourage projects aimed at promoting the development of the UAE cultural products.
The fund will be overseen by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development and the key objectives include providing necessary funds for initiatives. The fund will also ensure the participation of all segments of the UAE society, including the private sector, in the implementation of cultural development plans.
Sheikh Mohammed also directed the ministry to work on the launch of a ‘Creative Industries Contributions Index’. It will reflect an unambiguous structure of the economic returns of cultural activities and highlight the role of the cultural sector in supporting economic development within the country.
“Our culture represents the identity of our generations, and reflects the depth of our history. It is our message that we want to convey to the world in the most creative way. Our Emirati culture promotes the spirit of love, tolerance, and calls for openness to other cultures. The spirit and identity of our culture is inspired from Arab and Islamic civilisations,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Highlighting the importance of the Arabic language, Sheikh Mohammed said: “Arabic language is the backbone of our culture. Preserving our language is a pivotal prerequisite to develop our knowledge, instil our identity and develop our culture.
“The UAE’s drive towards leadership of the future, and its pursuit to be among the most advanced countries in the world won’t be realised unless we enhance our cultural heritage. The future of our cultural development should be based on creativity and innovation.
“Economy, culture and politics are components that interact to create a nation, and build a state ... The development of our country depends on a well-established and forward-looking culture,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
Future of culture retreat
Sheikh Mohammed made these comments as he attended the ‘Future of Culture Retreat’ organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development at the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Monday.
The retreat brought together a number of cabinet ministers and senior government officials, in addition to some of the most prominent politicians, diplomats, cultural leaders, business leaders and media figures.
The one-day retreat featured nine sessions. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said: “Today, we take pride in the UAE and its achievements, proving to the world that Emirati citizens are not only capable of keeping pace with global development in various fields and sectors but are at the forefront of such developments. Today’s retreat proved that the cultural sector falls in the heart of this development, enabling our dear nation to earn its international position and competitiveness.”
The retreat was attended by Lieutenant-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Economy, culture and politics are components that interact to create a nation, and build a state ... The development of our country depends on a well-established and forward-looking culture.” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai
Today’s retreat proved that the cultural sector falls in the heart of this development, enabling our dear nation to earn its international position and competitiveness.” Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development