Between November 4th and 8th, 2024, the 4th Technical Meeting of the Culture Working Group and the Meeting of G20 Ministers of Culture will be held in Salvador, Bahia. It is the final stage of a series of debates between member and guest countries and international organizations on priority points on the agenda of the Brazilian presidency in the group composed of the 20 largest economies in the world.

The Culture WG has focused on four priority axes: cultural diversity and inclusion; copyright and digital environment; creative economy and sustainable development; and preservation, safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage and memory.

The perception of culture as a common good of humanity, and how to stress its importance as a pillar for social and economic progress, is among the topics being addressed at the meeting.

There is also the interconnection between culture and climate, reflecting how environmental challenges affect tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

The creative economy has been highlighted as an essential axis for the promotion of innovation and sustainable and inclusive development; Finally, the issue of combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods has been reinforced by all countries.

The technical meeting of the G20 Culture Working Group will be fundamental to review and consolidate the initiatives and accomplishments which were achieved during the Brazilian Presidency. In turn, the Meeting of Ministers of Culture will be the maximum point of international convergence, when ministers and high authorities of culture will have to approve the Final Declaration, forwarding decisions to be adopted by all countries by consensus.

In Salvador, the G20 will reaffirm its leadership role in strengthening global cultural policies, bringing discussions of extreme relevance for the preservation and enhancement of world cultural heritage to light.

Culture and climate change

An international seminar on Culture and Climate Change, organized in partnership with UNESCO and OEI, will address the vital role of the cultural sector in tackling climate change, showcasing both national and international experiences.

The Ministry of Culture of Brazil (MinC) is hosting the International Seminar on Culture and Climate Change in Salvador on November 4th and 5th, followed by  series of workshops on the topic on the 6th and 7th. The opening ceremony will feature Brazilian Ministers Margareth Menezes (Culture), Marina Silva (Environment and Climate Change), and Sonia Guajajara (Indigenous Peoples).

This initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, UNESCO and OEI.

"The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced. The problem was created by human intervention and the solution also also lies within us. Addressing it will require a profound change in behavior, and behavior, and culture can play a pivotal role in this transformation. That is why we are discussing how culture is impacted, what we must do to safeguard our rich cultural heritage and, importantly, how art and culture can contribute to solving the climate crisis", says Margareth Menezes.

The program will feature internationally recognized figures for their work on the climate change arena, such as South African political activist Kumi Naidoo, who advocates for human rights, environmental issues and social justice.

Confirmed speaker also include Alison Tickell, the founder of the non-profit institution Julie’s Bycyle, a leader in mobilizing arts and culture to act on the climate crisis, and the Argentine artist and architect Tomas Saraceno.

Additionally, Dorine Dubois, the executive head of the Unesco culture sector and Ana Mumbuca, an Afro-Brazilian community representative, will be in attendance.

The Seminar aims to bring together national and international experiences of culture for climate action and to foster discussions on the potential of the arts, heritage, creative sectors and cultural industries in the sector in tackling climate change and creating a fairer future.

Topics of discussion will include the establishment of environmentally responsible cultural sectors concerning carbon emissions, climate justice for the arts and culture, and the role of arts and culture in mobilizing pro-climate social movements.

The event will host social leaders, researchers, government representatives and representatives of multilateral organizations, artists and activists from countries such as Argentina, Italy, Kenya, Germany, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States, .

Participation in the International Seminar on Culture and Climate Change will be open to the public and free of charge, with tickets available on the Sympla platform. Attendance is subject to capacity limits.