Speaking at the G20 Ministers of Culture meeting in Varanasi, India, Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture and Youth, emphasized the importance of continuing joint cooperation between all parties. , and improving the status of culture to address climate challenges.

The UAE’s commitment to the G20’s priorities, particularly reducing differences and promoting cooperation between the countries of the South, commended the joint efforts of the Working Group on Culture at the G20 in this regard.

He also emphasized the importance of culture in promoting partnership and cooperation between countries, which will be the focus during the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) to be held in the United Arab Emirates next November. .

Talking about climate change and its impact on all aspects of life, he said, “Today, cultural heritage is at risk due to climate change all over the world. These historical places are precious treasures for people and they need to be protected. We need to care because they remind us of the true identities of communities.” He pointed to the UAE’s efforts and commitments in protecting human heritage, such as its recent partnership with the African World Heritage Fund to support the conservation and preservation of cultural and natural heritage of exceptional global value on the African continent. , the partnership focuses on sites affected by climate change and building projects.community members’ skills.

He emphasized the importance of supporting a global vision for a sustainable future based on diversity and inclusion, and spoke about the role of culture and creativity in creating meaningful solutions to global challenges and the UAE’s efforts to support benefiting from the power of creative enterprises. Strengthening a strong cultural and creative ecosystem in the country. He said, “The UAE National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries is the first of its kind in the Arab and Gulf region and aims to promote the growth of the cultural and creative industries sector and increase its contribution to 5% of the national total. Domestic Productivity by 2031.” He highlighted the UAE’s partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), benefiting from its methodology for measuring the economic contribution of copyright-based industries to the creative economy to accurately measure its performance and contribution to GDP.

He added that the recently launched National Grants for Creativity and Culture provide opportunities to support, sustain and develop skills for creatives and small and medium enterprises. He also pointed to the UAE’s collaboration with UNESCO to restore and restore heritage sites. Iraq’s city of Mosul and its key role in the international coalition protecting… “Alif”, a tradition in conflict zones, has so far funded around 180 projects. He emphasized that in line with the priority of the G20 chairmanship, the UAE attaches great importance to promoting and developing cultural pioneers.

He spoke about the importance of education as a vital tool that ensures the transmission of culture and heritage from generation to generation and plays a vital role in imparting the necessary knowledge and skills to learners.

He concluded his speech by saying, “We are approaching the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28) which we will hold in Expo City this coming November. Dubai, we look forward to meeting you again in the Working Group on Culture to achieve common aspirations.” And take joint action that highlights the role of the creative sector in addressing culture, climate and climate change and multi-climate issues. problems.