The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Culture, will host the 12th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers under the theme ‘toward renewing cultural action in the Islamic world’ on Sep. 25-26.
The conference, which the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is organizing within the framework of its competencies, will discuss a number of topics, including issues of cultural development in the Islamic world, and mechanisms for developing the ICESCO’s Program for Cultural Capitals in the Islamic World, in addition to some projects such as the program to value living human treasures and traditional knowledge in the Islamic world, cultural policy guidelines and indicators for sustainable development in a transforming world, and strategy to combat illicit trafficking in cultural property in the Islamic world.
The conference will highlight the success story of Doha Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021, and follow up on the efforts and cultural achievements of member states and organizations. An intellectual symposium to discuss the influences on Islamic civilization and its impact on humanity will be organized, while the Doha declaration on renewing cultural action in the Islamic world will be adopted in the closing session of the conference.
Before the start of the Ministerial Conference, the Advisory Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World, whose General Secretariat is held by ICESCO, will hold its 18th meeting next Saturday to discuss a number of draft decisions and documents related to the work of the Ministerial Conference, most notably the adoption of the draft agenda of the 12th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers, and the formation of the office of the Advisory Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World.
Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali said that Qatar’s hosting of the 12th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers culminates the efforts of the Ministry of Culture in supporting joint cultural action, consolidates the traditions of cultural and civilizational exchange between the peoples of the Islamic world, and affirms the common civilizational and cultural values on which the State of Qatar’s vision for a diverse and rich Arab-Islamic cultural scene is based.
He added that the ministry hopes that the conference sessions will contribute to promoting constructive intellectual and civilizational discussion to unify efforts aimed at establishing true cultural development among the member states of ICESCO, which will be reflected in the cultural scene in the Islamic world.
For her part, Director of the Department of Culture and Arts Maryam Al Hammadi said that the conference’s theme embodies ICESCO member states’ ambition to promote cultural partnerships, exchange knowledge and skills that aim to develop heritage and arts in Islamic countries, and strengthen bilateral efforts to launch programs and initiatives aimed at supporting young people, creatives, and intellectuals in the Islamic world.
She added that the conference will represent an interactive and rich platform for member states to come up with recommendations and doable action projects and to support cultural development programs in member states.
The 12th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers comes as a culmination of the success of the State of Qatar in hosting the activities of “Doha, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021”, under the slogan “Our Culture is Enlightenment”, during March 8, 2021, until Jan. 17, 2022, which witnessed the organization of more than 238 cultural events and activities distributed across major axes, including science and scientists, literature, arts, heritage, sports, and women, in addition to sustainable cultural initiatives.
Source: Qatar News Agency