UAE participates in fourth G20 Culture Working Group meeting in South Africa
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), represented by the Ministry of Culture, has participated in the fourth G20 Culture Working Group (CWG) Ministerial Meeting, held in Zimbali, KwaDukuza, in the Republic of South Africa.
Led by H.E. Al Qassimi, the UAE delegation joined culture ministers and senior representatives from G20 member states, guest nations, and international organisations including UNESCO, WIPO, ICOM, ICOMOS, AWHF, and INTERPOL. The meeting culminated in the adoption of the KwaDukuza Declaration of the G20 Ministers of Culture, underscoring culture’s role as a strategic enabler of sustainable development.
During the meeting, H.E. Al Qassimi highlighted culture’s power as a driver of solidarity, resilience, and economic growth, and its importance in supporting the global creative ecosystem.
“Culture is a driver for sustainable development, fostering solidarity and resilience,” said H.E. Al Qassimi. “The G20 Declaration positions culture as a dynamic catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and beyond. This includes reinforcing international cooperation in culture-based climate action, the creative economy, and in safeguarding heritage worldwide.”
On the sidelines of the meeting, H.E. Al Qassimi also held bilateral discussions with several cultural leaders, including H.E. Margareth Menezes, Brazil’s Minister of Culture; H.E. Filipe Silvino de Pina Zau, Angola’s Minister of Culture; and H.E. Lubna Jaffery, Norway’s Minister of Culture and Equality, to explore opportunities for collaboration and joint initiatives.
The UAE’s participation reaffirms its active role in international cultural diplomacy, recognising culture as a catalyst for sustainable development and a key contributor to addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. The participation also aligns with the country’s Net Zero 2050 strategy, leveraging cultural innovation and heritage protection as enablers of climate resilience.
The KwaDukuza Declaration emphasises the intersection of culture and climate change, calling for enhanced protection of cultural heritage and the preservation of Indigenous and local knowledge systems. It highlights culture’s role in climate mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity conservation, ensuring the resilience of cultural and creative sectors worldwide.
The declaration also recognised the UAE’s leadership through initiatives such as the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, launched at COP28, and the establishment of the Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA). These frameworks aim to integrate culture-based indicators into climate strategies and expand international cooperation on cultural heritage protection and non-economic loss assessment.
This marks the UAE’s fourth consecutive participation in the G20 Culture Working Group, following its involvement in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and previous participation in 2011 and 2020. The UAE’s continued engagement reflects its growing leadership in advancing global cultural dialogue and promoting culture as a pillar of sustainable development and climate action.
