August 31, 2023
3 mins read

UAE Highlights Culture’s Key Role In Climate Action

Al Qassimi highlighted the UAE’s commitment to limiting disparities and fostering stronger south-south cooperation….reports Asian Lite News

Salem bin Khaled Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth, delivered a speech during his participation in the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Culture, held in Varanasi, India, in which he emphasised the importance of continued collaboration among all parties to harness culture and creativity, as a means of addressing climate challenges.

Shedding light on the UAE’s position on the G20 priorities, Al Qassimi highlighted the UAE’s commitment to limiting disparities and fostering stronger south-south cooperation. He commended the joint efforts of G20 Culture Working Group underscoring the importance of culture in promoting partnership and cooperation between nations, which will be in the spotlight at the upcoming COP28 which the UAE will host at the end of November this year.

Speaking about the gravity of climate change as an issue that impacts all walks of life, the minister said, “Today, across the world, cultural heritage, is in jeopardy because of climate change. Concerning, as historic sites provide a poignant reminder of our unique cultural identities. Without them, that connection risks being slowly eroded over time, also resulting in the damage to the practice and transmission of living heritage from one generation to another.”

Al Qassimi highlighted the UAE’s commitment and efforts in the protection of the heritage of humanity giving the example of its recent partnership with the African World Heritage Fund to support conservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value in Africa. This partnership focuses on sites impacted by climate change and capacity building programmes.

He touched upon the role of culture and creativity in shaping purposeful solutions for global challenges and how the UAE harnesses the power of creative institutions to enhance a robust cultural and creative ecosystem in the country. “The UAE National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries aims to enhance the growth of cultural and creative industries and increase their contribution to 5 percent of the national GDP by 2031,” he stated.

He also highlighted the UAE’s partnership with WIPO to utilise its methodology to measure the economic contribution on the copyright-based industries in the creative economy to accurately measure the creative economy’s performance and contribution to GDP. And mentioned that the newly launched National Grant Programme for Creativity and Culture to empower creatives and SMEs with the opportunities to establish, sustain and grow their skills.

Furthermore, he highlighted the UAE’s partnerships with UNESCO to rebuild the heritage sites of Mosul, Iraq and its key role in the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), which has funded almost 180 projects to date. Aligned with the priorities of the G20 Presidency, Al Qassimi affirmed the UAE’s significant focus on empowering cultural practitioners.

He underscored the importance of cultural education as a vital tool for ensuring the transmission of culture and heritage across generations and actively equipping learners with the knowledge and skills they require in the present and future.

Concluding his speech, the minister said, “As we approach COP28, taking place in Expo City in Dubai, we look forward to meeting you again to move forward with sentiments shared in the Culture Working Group and take collective action in highlighting the intersection between culture and climate and the role the creative industry plays in climate action.”

ALSO READ: India Gears Up For G20 Summit

Previous Story

India’s Soft Power And Modern Face To Echo At G20

Next Story

‘Disengaging with China not credible’

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan’s Shadow War in Balochistan

At least 50 killed by Pakistan-backed death squads in Balochistan in April, says HRCB — toll expected to rise in May….reports Asian Lite News The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) reported

Russia, Ukraine Resume Talks

The upcoming talks follow a significant hiatus in diplomatic engagement between the two nations, which have been locked in a brutal conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Russia and

UN Pays Tribute to Indian Soldiers

Thursday was observed as the 77th UN Peacekeepers Day, honouring the work of 61,353 peacekeepers, of whom 5,375 hailed from India….reports Asian Lite News Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who

Modi’s New Warfare Playbook

Modi has upended the old playbook and India and Pakistan are entering dangerous new territory where nuclear deterrence is no longer a guarantee against conventional conflict…writes Collins Chong Yew Keat The India-Pakistan
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Barakah Unit 4 Connected to UAE Power Grid

Unit 4 will add another 1,400 megawatts of clean electricity

UAE, Tajikistan sign air transport services deal

The deal aim to lift restrictions on designated carriers from