- Posted on December 9th, 2023
A Historic Moment for Culture and Climate Policy
A decade of campaigning for the arts, heritage and creative industries to be at the heart of climate action has led to the establishment at COP 28 of the ‘Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action.’
Over 30 Ministers or government representatives and a large delegation of committed cultural advocates from across the Globe attended the historic inaugural meeting, co-chaired by UAE and Brazil, recognising the key role of culture for transformative climate action.
Launch of the Group of Friends
On 8 December 2023, history was made at COP 28. Exactly one month after the launch of the Global Call to put Culture at the Heart of Climate Action, the first ministerial meeting on this topic was convened and chaired by the Ministers of Culture of the UAE and Brazil. More than 30 governments were represented as well as key intergovernmental organisations: UNESCO, ALECSO; ICESCO and the European Union represented by the European Commission.
Countries that have joined the Group of Friends include: UAE, BRAZIL (co-chairs), and Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mali, Malta, Pakistan, Serbia, Senegal, Seychelles, Spain, Syria and Uganda. (Please note, this is the unofficial list and we invite additions and corrections).
The ministerial meeting was also attended by top representatives of the following leading cultural organisations (mentioned in alphabetical order), all of whom are founding signatories of the Global Call to Action and most of whom are active members of the Climate Heritage Network: ALIPH (International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas), Brazil Climate Action Hub, British Council, Europa Nostra/European Heritage Hub, International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), International Council of Museums, (ICOM), International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), International Peace Institute, Julie’s Bicycle, People’s Palace Projects, Petra National Trust, Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA), and World Monuments Fund (WMF).
Statements from the hosts
‘’This is an absolutely pivotal step towards the full integration of culture and heritage in the climate agenda to achieve transformative and meaningful action and realise a just, equitable, inclusive and diverse climate resilient future…for years, a growing coalition of cultural leaders and advocates, as well as civil society organisations from throughout the world have been committed to this goal…I am proud to work with so many partners through the Climate Heritage Network’’ stated HRH Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, Climate Heritage Network Special Envoy.
“Today we need to create a path for integrating culture into climate policy for the future, as well as raise awareness of culture’s transformative powers to change behaviour, and imagine its ability to unlock creative solutions that can engage all members of society across all sectors”, said H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture in his opening remarks.
“We argue that we will only achieve the results outlined in the Paris Agreement if we include culture, arts, heritage and creative industries as part of the response, generating conditions to transform thoughts into action”, added H.E. Margareth Menezes, Brazil Minister of Culture.
Emirates Declaration on Culture Based Climate Action
Following the interventions of each representative of governments and international/European organisations, the participants unanimously adopted the Emirates Declaration on Culture Based Climate Action. This visionary Declaration paves the way for the adoption of a Joint Work Decision on Culture-Based Climate Action at COP 29 which will take place in Europe in one year’s time, and subsequently to a related action plan ahead of COP 30 in Brazil.
Before the ministerial meeting, its two Co-Chairs organised an exchange with representatives of the Climate Heritage Network that have played a leading role in organising the Global Call to Action and worked closely with the UAE Ministry of Culture to prepare this most successful ministerial meeting.
Watch the Launch of the Group of Friends
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Images: Global Call Steering Group and supporters come together to mark the moment at COP28. H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, H.E. Margareth Menezes, Brazil Minister of Culture, HRH Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, Climate Heritage Network Special Envoy.
This campaign is part of an initiative funded by the UAE Ministry of Culture in partnership with the ALIPH Foundation.
