BUENOS AIRES: G20 Culture Ministers Meeting hosted by Italy

BUENOS AIRES: Smt.
Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture
participated in the G20 Culture Ministers Meeting on 30 July, 2021 hosted by
Italy during their ongoing Presidency of G20 in 2021.

Discussion was held on Protection of Cultural Heritage; Addressing the Climate
Crisis through Culture; Building Capacity through Training and Education;
Digital Transition and New Technologies for Culture; and Culture and Creative
Sectors as drivers for growth.

Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture addressed
participants of the meeting and presented India’s perspective on the topic
‘Culture and Creative Sectors as drivers for growth’. She outlined the
significance of culture and creative sectors in providing economic growth and
employment as well as its potential to give more opportunities to women, youth
and to local communities which have very rich and diverse cultural traditions
and practices, to promote production and consumption practices that are more
environmentally friendly as in the production of handlooms, handicrafts and
khadi etc. and its importance and relevance for India.

She emphasized that culture and creative sectors can drive growth through
generating employment, reducing inequalities, promoting development in a
sustainable manner and providing distinct identity to people.

She highlighted the various measures taken by India to develop the culture and
creative sectors like the One District One Product scheme of Government of
Uttar Pradesh, Tourism circuits, promotion of Yoga and Ayurveda etc.

She emphasized and supported the need for international dialogue and
collaboration to tackle common issues connected to the cultural and creative
sectors and to suitably inform and adapt public policies.

She reiterated India’s commitment to international cultural cooperation and
collaboration in efforts to support and facilitate the cultural and creative
sectors of societies.

At the end of the discussions, the G20 Ministers of Culture adopted the G20
Culture Working Group Terms of Reference.

The Ministers of Culture of the G20 adopted the Ministerial Declaration for
submission to the G20 Leaders’ 2021 Summit to advocate the introduction of
Culture in the G20 work stream, given its strong economic and social impact at
the national and global level.