Noura Al Kaabi: The conference to be held during Expo 2020 when the world's arts and culture meet in the UAE
Noura Al Kaabi: Preserving cultural heritage is a collective responsibility
 
CAIRO, Egypt, October 15, 2018:
Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, announced that the UAE will host the 22nd Conference of Arab Culture Ministers in 2020. The announcement was made during Al Kaabi’s speech at the 21st Conference of Arab Ministers in Cairo, titled "The Arab Cultural Project in the Face of Current Challenges”.

Al Kaabi said that the 22nd session will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the UAE’s hosting of the world's arts and culture at Expo 2020 in Dubai, making it an important opportunity for Arab culture to blend with global cultures.

In her speech, Al Kaabi referred to the role of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in building brotherly relations with countries, stressing on the importance of preserving the cultural heritage in the Arab countries, saying: "The UAE is aligned with the direction of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in the preservation of cultural heritage as it represents our values. In view of the risks to which this heritage is exposed, the process of preserving and protecting it from theft and systematic destruction have become a collective responsibility, especially in areas targeted by terrorist groups. "

Al Kaabi explained that the UAE has cooperated with the Republic of Iraq and UNESCO to launch the restoration project of the Al Nuri Mosque and Minaret Al-Hadaba. This project is an example of constructive cooperation in protecting human heritage and carries hope for Moslawis in reviving their city and spreading the culture of peace against terrorism. Al Kaabi invited all Arab countries to participate in the reconstruction of Al Mosul and other endangered sites in the Arab world.

Al Kaabi also emphasised the importance of collaborations among Arab countries in inscribing components of Arab culture on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to spread, promote and revive Arab heritage as a legacy for future generations.

Commenting on collective Arab efforts to develop the cultural and creative industries ecosystem, Al Kaabi said: “The UAE is developing a detailed agenda to promote the importance of cultural and creative industries as a major driver of economies, employment and comprehensive development. We believe that our Arab youth have the skills to lead the future of this industry which has a global market value exceeding USD 2 trillion. We look forward to developing the basis of mutual cooperation with Arab countries to support promising young talents.”

Al Kaabi concluded her speech by highlighting the importance of Arab cultural collaborations through a series of common initiatives and projects, in addition to promoting bilateral relationships between Arab countries.