Culture Summit Abu Dhabi 2024: A Convergence of Global Cultural Leaders at Manarat Al Saadiyat

Thursday, February 29, 2024

The upcoming sixth installment of the Culture Summit in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is scheduled from March 3 to 5, 2024, at Manarat Al Saadiyat. This event is set to convene cultural leaders from more than 90 nations to explore the dynamic interaction between humanity and the concept of time. Each day of the Summit will focus on a different sub-theme, examining time’s impact on various domains such as art, heritage, literature, media, museums, music, public policy, and technology.

This year introduces the premiere of the Ministerial Dialogue, a collaborative effort with UNESCO, marking a new milestone for the Summit. This dialogue will feature cultural ministers from across the globe, including H.E. Ernest Urtasun from Spain, H.E. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid from Morocco, H.E. Adriana Ortiz from Paraguay, H.E. Abraão Vicente from Cabo Verde, H.E. Nina Obuljen Koržinek from Croatia, H.E. Alpidio Alonso from Cuba, and H.E. Abakar Rozzi Teguil from Chad. These discussions aim to enhance global cultural synergy and creative dynamics.

The Summit’s discussions will kick off with opening comments from HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak of DCT Abu Dhabi and Ernesto Ottone Ramirez of UNESCO, led by CNN Middle East’s Becky Anderson. The focus will be on the role of culture as a pivotal global asset, inspired by the Culture Declaration unanimously agreed upon at MONDIACULT 2022 in Mexico. This dialogue seeks to pave the way for MONDIACULT 2025, emphasizing culture’s integration into the upcoming UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Highlighting its commitment to addressing worldwide challenges, the Summit will feature a session on Sustainability and Decision Making, bringing together former prime ministers Kim Campbell, Moussa Mara, George Papandreou, and Jigmi Thinley to discuss governance, cultural advocacy, and sustainable solutions for a climate-resilient future. Another session, ‘Climate Change: The Catalyst For New Cultural Dialogues?’, with Phil Manning, Phloeun Prim, and Adriana Sandoval Trujillo, moderated by Moustafa Bayoumi, will explore the transformative potential of climate change in fostering cultural dialogues.

The panel ‘First People’s Knowledge on Living in the Everywhen’, led by Stephanie Rosenthal, will offer insights into indigenous perspectives on time, with contributions from artists Erena Baker-Arapere and Sarah Hudson. Meanwhile, the ‘Building forever? The new art of sharing’ session will discuss museum collection strategies, featuring discussions with Kaywin Feldman, Manuel Rabaté, and Mariët Westermann on innovative approaches to museum collections.

Other panels will address challenges and innovations in cultural public agencies, urban cultural planning post-pandemic, the evolution of entertainment across cultures, and the intersection of artificial intelligence with human creativity. Noteworthy discussions will also cover the metaverse’s role in creating a new ‘Time Economy’, the significance of ‘Deep Time’ in understanding our universe, and the impact of emotional music in storytelling.

The Summit will not only serve as a platform for high-level dialogues but also host a variety of artistic presentations, including exhibitions, performances, and creative talks, featuring an impressive lineup of speakers, panelists, and artists such as Adonis, Prof. Homi Bhabha, Wayne McGregor CBE, Wole Soyinka, and many more.

Key global partners of the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi include UNESCO, Economist Impact, the Design Museum, Google, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, and the Recording Academy®, alongside other notable partners contributing to the rich cultural discourse of the event.

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• The sixth edition of the Summit to bring all thought leaders under one roof – Abu Dhabi