Salvador, November 11, 2024 – Brazil, in its role as the 2024 G20 president, hosted an international seminar titled "Culture and Climate Change," a key event in the cultural track of this year’s G20 Summit held under the theme, "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet." This seminar brought together global representatives to explore the intersections of climate change and cultural preservation, underscoring the global need to protect cultural heritage in the face of environmental challenges.
A prominent contribution came from the Saudi Heritage Commission, which participated in a session titled "Challenges of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage." Representing Saudi Arabia, heritage expert Dr. Adnan Al-Jaber discussed the Kingdom’s initiatives to mitigate the impact of climate change on cultural heritage sites. He shared Saudi Arabia’s experiences in responding to natural disasters, such as floods and storms, that increasingly threaten historical sites. Dr. Al-Jaber emphasized the urgent need to address these environmental risks to ensure that cultural heritage remains accessible and meaningful for future generations, serving as a bridge to history and identity for communities worldwide.
The cultural track of the G20 summit, under Brazil’s presidency, focuses on priorities that include protecting cultural heritage, promoting the creative economy, and leveraging digital advancements while safeguarding intellectual property rights. These objectives aim to foster sustainable growth and social inclusion, addressing challenges that were initially raised during Saudi Arabia's 2020 G20 presidency and further developed by subsequent presidencies. By aligning these efforts with climate resilience, the G20 cultural track emphasizes that protecting cultural assets is as much about preserving history as it is about ensuring a sustainable future for all.