The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced that the next edition of Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, a global forum that discusses innovative cultural solutions to the most pressing issues affecting the world today, will take place virtually from 8th to 10th March, and explore the theme of ‘The Cultural Economy and the Economy of Culture’.
Cultural leaders, practitioners, and experts from the fields of art, heritage, museums, media, and technology will gather in the fourth edition of the forum to generate new strategies, thinking, and ways to realize on how culture can transform societies and communities worldwide.
Mr. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi commented, “The global challenges of the past year have truly demonstrated the vital power of culture to improve our personal and collective wellbeing. Yet, cultural institutions worldwide continue to struggle to achieve funding structures to continue operating. It is now more important than ever to shed light on the critical role that the culture sector plays as an essential driver of sustainable economic and social development”.
This year’s theme strongly reflects the focus on culture and creative industries as a major driver of development.
Meanwhile, Mr. Saood Al Hosani, Under-Secretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, responded that the Culture Summit’s annual meeting of world-class experts and professionals from interrelated fields consistently puts forward groundbreaking solutions to important cultural and economic issues.
“Following a year of truly unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we look forward to the dialogue and innovations sparked by our esteemed global partners and participants at the event’s virtual fourth edition, as we discuss ways to support the continuity of the cultural sector, both locally and worldwide” Mr. Saood Al Hosani further added.
Current partners of the initiative include UNESCO, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, the Economist Events, and Google.
The new partners for the forum this year include The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the Design Museum London, along with the participation of prominent UAE institutions such as Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Institut Français, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, twofour54, and Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
