UAE commits to growth based on culture

ABU DHABI: The UAE has always believed that global challenges can only be resolved through inclusive global solutions, guided by shared values of tolerance, peace, and co-existence, said Mubarak Al Nakhi, Under-secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth.

Al Nakhi, represented the UAE at the Third G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting which was hosted by the Republic of Indonesia from Sept.11-13, 2022 in Borobudur Temple Compounds, Indonesia.

The meeting was held under the theme ‘Culture for Sustainable Living’, and is a continuation of the previous meetings held by the Saudi Arabia Presidency (2020) and Italy Presidency (2021) and continues the commitment outlined in The Rome Declaration of the G20 Ministers of Culture to mainstream culture as an integral part of wider policy agendas.

Indonesian Presidency was joined by culture minsters and senior officials of the G20 and other guest countries including the UAE to implement the G20 Culture Agenda. In line with the Indonesian Presidency’s overall theme of the G20: “Recover Together, Recover Stronger,” the third G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting focused on fostering common action to promote culture as a method to achieve a sustainable future.

The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to the Chair’s Message presented on Sept.13, 2022, extending support to culture as a global public good that is more aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the twelve global commitments outlined in ‘Our Common Agenda’ issued by UN Secretary-general Antonio Guterres.

The Chair’s Message highlighted that in today’s globalised economy, no single country lives in isolation hence global cultural economy forms an ecosystem in which each country plays an important role in the movement of the entire supply chain of cultural products.

Thanking the Indonesian Presidency for taking the initiative to develop a common vision to integrate culture within sustainable development activities, inclusive development and education, Al Nakhi said, “We are confident that this year’s gathering, under Indonesia’s leadership, will play a pivotal role in the world’s post-pandemic recovery.

“The UAE has always believed that global challenges can only be resolved through inclusive global solutions, guided by our shared values of tolerance, peace, and co-existence. It is a model that guides both our domestic and international efforts and has allowed us to promote hope and optimism both within and outside of our region.”

He added that culture-based policy will build an inclusive and sustainable foundation for growth in a post-pandemic era.