Doha, October 4, 2024—Representing Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Assistant Minister of Culture Rakan bin Ibrahim Al-Touq took part in the 28th annual meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) culture ministers, which convened in the Qatari capital of Doha on Thursday. This gathering, chaired by Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Culture and president of the current session, served as a vital platform for discussing key cultural initiatives and policies aimed at strengthening ties between the member states.
A central focus of the meeting was the ongoing GCC Cultural Strategy 2020-2030, which outlines a comprehensive framework for fostering cultural collaboration and unity among the Gulf nations over the next decade. In addition to reviewing this strategic document, the ministers also assessed the annual plan for joint cultural events and activities across the GCC region, an initiative aimed at bolstering cultural exchange and promoting mutual understanding between member countries.
Key topics of discussion included the integration of culture and tourism sectors to enhance their interconnection and contribute to the broader economic and social development of the region. The meeting also highlighted several significant initiatives, such as the establishment of the Translation and Arabization Center, which aims to promote the Arabic language through enhanced translation efforts, and the importance of promoting book fairs as cultural hubs. Another pivotal initiative discussed was the GCC Cultural Statistics Platform, which seeks to standardize data collection and analysis related to the cultural sector, providing member states with valuable insights to inform future decision-making.
International cultural cooperation remained a critical point on the agenda, as the ministers explored opportunities to expand the GCC’s cultural footprint on the global stage, further reinforcing the role of culture in diplomacy and international relations. The discussions underscore the shared commitment of GCC member states to preserve and promote their cultural heritage while embracing modernization and global integration.