The four-day G20 Culture Working Group meeting commenced from today, 23rd August in Varanasi. Building upon the success of the previous three CWG meetings in Khajuraho, Bhubaneswar and Hampi as well as the four global thematic webinars and 4th CWG meeting in Varanasi aims to arrive at actionable outcomes while positioning culture at the heart of policy making.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address culture ministers of G20 nations in Varanasi through a video statement on August 26. The meeting will take place after the 4th G20 Culture Working Group (CWG) meeting, under India’s G20 presidency, happening in Varanasi from August 23.
During the meet, The delegates from 20 members and other invited countries will get the opportunity to experience world-renowned Ganga Aarti on the banks of the river Ganga, and explore the beautiful history of the lion capital of Sarnath. The G20 Global Orchestra performance titled “Sur Vasudha” celebrating the rich musical knowledge and heritage of G20 member nations and invitee countries will be presented in Varanasi.
The Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi will aim to catalyze collective actions for accelerating progress on the four priority areas articulated by the Indian Presidency- Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property, Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future, Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy, and Leveraging Digital Technologies for the Protection and Promotion of Culture.
The CWG, under India’s G20 presidency, had launched the ‘Culture Unites All’ campaign to highlight India’s unwavering belief in multilateralism based on peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures and communities.
The CWG is releasing a special stamp to commemorate the campaign on 26th August 2023. The ‘Culture Unites All’ postage stamp has been crafted as a distinctive emblem combining the ideas of connectivity, communication, and journey representing a cultural exchange and establishing cultural context.
In 2020, under the Saudi Arabian Presidency, the Culture Ministers’ met for the first time on the side-lines of the G20. In 2021, Culture was formalised as a Working Group during the Italian Presidency, leading to the inaugural G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting and the consequential “Rome Culture Ministers’ Declaration”.
The ‘Bali Declaration’ of 2022 under the Indonesian presidency further stressed the role of culture in sustainable development. In Varanasi, this would be the fourth time that the Culture Ministers of the G20 members and invitee countries would be meeting.