The Advisory Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World, whose General Secretariat is held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), held its eighteenth meeting here today, under the chairmanship of the State of Qatar.
The meeting discussed the agenda, draft resolutions and documents that will be submitted to the Twelfth Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, which is being held by ISESCO and hosted by the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Culture, the day after tomorrow and over a period of two days.
During the meeting, the formation of the new Council office was approved for its next edition, which extends over the years 2024-2025, as Qatar took over the presidency from Tunisia, which will take over as Rapporteur of the Council, while Uzbekistan and Uganda became vice-presidents for the Asian and African regions, in addition to the membership of three countries for the Asian group, three countries for the Arab group, and three countries for the African countries, along with permanent members in their capacity.
In his speech after Qatar assumed the presidency of the Council, Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al-Ali/ Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, confirmed the positive interaction between the State of Qatar and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), based on the belief in the organization’s role in activating joint cultural work in the Islamic world.
He said, “If the authentic culture that establishes the values of good is the tent that brings us together, then it is a means to develop the lives of societies in the countries of the Islamic world,” pointing out that peoples do not leave a cultural impact on human civilization if they do not learn generations cultural values and the desire for innovation and initiative in various fields.
The Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture called on member states to work together so that this meeting and the Twelfth Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World will be a real launch for joint cultural work, which confirming that culture is a national safety valve, as well as a strategic choice for our peoples to achieve their sustainable development.
The meeting began with a speech by Dr. Muhammad Zain Al-Abidin/ Head of the Culture and Communication Sector at ISESCO, during which he reviewed the organization’s efforts to support cultural work in light of its vision and strategic directions, through the execution of innovative programs and projects in its member states, including: ISESCO International Laboratory “Culture for Rethinking the World” and the International Network of ISESCO Chairs for Thought, Heritage, Literature and Arts.
The opening session of the Council was followed by working sessions, which witnessed the discussion of a number of executive reports and documents, which will be presented during the twelfth edition of the Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, including the report on ISESCO’s achievements in the cultural field. The report of the Committee on Heritage in the Islamic World, the document Guiding Principles for Cultural Policies, and Indicators of Sustainable Development in a Transforming World. In addition to a report on the success of the activities celebrating Doha as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, presented by Mrs. Maryam Yassin Al Hammadi/ Director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture, which confirming the combined efforts of cultural institutions and other parties in the country to make the celebration successful, which was held under the slogan “Our Culture is Light,” and witnessed the presentation nearly 300 diverse events. It was not limited to cultural and artistic performance events, but it focused greatly on global thought and trends in a way that enriches cultural life inside and outside the country.
Mrs. Maryam Yassin Al Hammadi/ Director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture, said that the meeting discussed many subjects that will be presented on the agenda of the Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World the day after tomorrow, which are of interest to the cultural community, especially those related to heritage and cultural indicators. In addition to ISESCO’s program for capitals of culture in the Islamic world, and ways to develop them, as well as many proposals that were submitted to the Ministerial Conference’s agenda.
The meeting witnessed the presentation of a number of proposals to host the capitals of culture in the Islamic world during the coming period, including nominating the Qatari city of Lusail as the capital of culture in the Islamic world 2030. It also discussed the ISESCO document to combat illicit trafficking in cultural property, and the document broad lines for the program for value living human treasures and traditional knowledge in the Islamic world.
During the eighteenth meeting of the Advisory Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World, the representative of the State of Palestine presented a proposal to make ElQuds the permanent capital of Islamic culture, while the representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presented two proposals: The first relates to the launch of the Culture Index in the Islamic World, to collect data, monitor cultural policies and activities, and support Member States in formulating their cultural policy. The second relates to the launch of the “Hajj Pilgrimage Routes” program, which is planned to be launched in cooperation with ISESCO. It monitors the urban development and works associated with the sacred pilgrimage journey to and from Mecca from various parts of the Islamic world, which has been included on the agenda of the upcoming ministerial conference.
The Council concluded its work by approving the final report of the meeting and the agenda of the Twelfth Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World.
It is noteworthy that the Advisory Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World was established by a decision of the Second Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers in 1988, and it works to execute cultural strategies for the Islamic world, and to study action plans, charters, and cultural projects submitted by ISESCO, as well as approving the documents and reports scheduled to be presented at the meetings of the Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Islamic World, and the agenda of the conference and major related specialized conferences.