NEW YORK – 21 May 2021 – H.E. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, called for increased dialogue and exchange about policies, best practices, and measures to strengthen creative economies at the United Nations.

Through a video statement, Minister Al Kaabi addressed the UN General Assembly at its high-level event on culture and sustainable development, which focused on building back towards a more resilient and impactful culture sector throughout COVID-19 and the UN Decade of Action.

“As we celebrate the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development this year, let us begin a new chapter with full acknowledgment of the power of culture in realizing the SDGs, as well as economic growth,” Minister Al Kaabi said. “Let’s start a new discourse with determination that is focused on how we could collectively, and inclusively, strengthen culture’s role in the delivery of our aspirations.”

Noting the importance of cultural diversity to the UAE, Minister Al Kaabi outlined national initiatives to promote culture, including the Culture Agenda 2031 – a ten-year road map for culture in the UAE – and the Talent Support Policy for the Cultural Sector. She also highlighted the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) Council, which was established for collective decision-making in support of CCI policies and initiatives, and the launch of the ten-year talent visa.

Reflecting on the impact of COVID-19 on the creative sector, Minister Al Kaabi noted the launch of the Creative Relief Fund to provide financial support to impacted creatives and enterprises. She outlined launched the CCI Training Program to assist creatives in acquiring the required skills for the creative economy. She also added that together with UNESCO, the UAE recently proposed a decision called “A Framework for Culture and Arts Education” that was adopted unanimously by its Executive Board.

At the meeting, Minister Al Kaabi proposed that the international community identify the required cultural data and indicators to support evidence-based cultural policy, and enhance synergies between culture and education to ensure sustainable cultural career paths. Additionally, she proposed the development of talent support policies and best practices, harnessing and encouraging technological advancements in support of cultural economies, and enhancing intellectual property protections and providing the required frameworks to support increased cultural activities in digital platforms.