Abu Dhabi: Reiterating the UAE’s vital position at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Executive Board of the global organization has adopted a UAE-led decision to consolidate action for the protection of the cultural and creative ecosystem.
A member of the Executive Board of the Organization, the United Arab Emirates submitted the decision entitled “Building on the 2021 International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development Through Consolidated Action”, in partnership with Indonesia, Colombia and Bangladesh as co-authors of the document, each representing pioneers in the creative economy.
The decision was later adopted during the 212th session of the UNESCO Executive Board and supported by over 36 UNESCO member states.
The Culture and Youth Minister further added that “This decision will build on the outcomes of the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) organized by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth to be held from 7th-9th December 2021 during Expo 2020 Dubai. As the WCCE aligns with UNESCO’s mission and vision under its cultural mandate, the decision will assist member states in decision-making for this vital sector.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, stated that, “We are pleased with the decision made by the UNESCO Executive Board to adopt this resolution aimed at promoting the cultural and creative industries around the globe as a means of fostering human-centered sustainable development. We also welcome this resolution as it supports the aims of UNESCO and its member states and contributes to advancing cultural planning and decision-making in their countries.”
BUILDING ON THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF CREATIVE ECONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH CONSOLIDATED ACTION
The decision document stresses on the importance of continuing to strengthen efforts to nurture, and protect, the cultural and creative ecosystem, by requesting that the Organization take stock of the efforts undertaken across existing and emerging international platforms and conferences, with the aim to ensure policy directions at the international level meet the future needs and aspirations of member states.
Further, proposal requests that UNESCO initiate the development of international indicators on cultural and creative industries to assist all member states in quantifying and overseeing the development of the sector by 2022.
The decision also recommends strengthening cooperation between UNESCO and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and other relevant organizations, to envisage collectively developing recommendations on the required intellectual property protections for cultural and creative industries to address the challenges and explore new developments in the cultural sector resulting from digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
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