by Sally Goldman
Science and culture have always been indicators of the development of countries, and with the growing role of science and culture and their transformation into the most important pillars of the future economy, the Emirati model comes to mind. According to the Emirati vision, which was emphasized by Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture and Youth, in his speech during the meeting of culture ministers of the G20 in India, the importance and necessity of continuing cooperation between countries, to enhance the role of culture to confront climate change may be key to climate change adaptation. The Emirati model stresses the commitment of the UAE to align with the priorities set by the G20, in terms of reducing the differences between the rich countries and the countries of the South and strengthening inter-cooperation between them.
The vision of the UAE emphasizes the important role of culture in strengthening partnership and cooperation between countries as a major theme for the COP28 conference, which the UAE will host next November. Global cultural heritage faces real pressures as a result of climate change, its treasures are global not just local and as such are the collective responsibility of the entire world to preserve.
Here, the UAE’s efforts stand out, to which the hat is raised, it has entered strategic partnerships with many international institutions and organizations concerned with preserving world heritage. One such partnership with the African World Heritage Fund, supports the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage on the African continent because of its value and uniqueness. This is a partnership aimed at protecting all heritage sites on the continent, especially those facing a serious threat from climate change.
Another example is the partnership with the United Nations UNESCO, where the UAE initiated the restoration of more than 180 world heritage sites, including sites in Mosul in northern Iraq that were vandalized by the terrorist ISIS and other militias. Additionally, the UAE’s partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), aimed take advantage of WIPO’s methodology in measuring the extent of the economic contribution of industries based on culture and intellectual creativity and the extent of its impact on the country’s domestic product.
How can the Emirati interest not be great when it launched many local, regional, and even global initiatives for sustainable development that lead to a sustainable future based on diversity, plurality, and inclusiveness? Therefore, the UAE launched the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries in the UAE, which is the first of its kind in the Arab and Gulf region. It is comparable to the strategies in force in the major countries of the world. The UAE strategy here aims to promote growth in the cultural and creative industries sector and increase its contribution until it reaches 5% of the UAE’s national gross domestic product by 2031 as a first stage. The UAE has been aware of the role of science and education in making societies more understanding of the status of its heritage sites and has launched initiatives to ensure the transfer of culture and heritage through successive generations and its preservation for future generations. Culture has a pivotal role in confronting climate change, and therefore possessing the tools to confront it scientifically, The world should follow the example of the UAE, which has turned into a role model thanks to the future vision of its wise leadership that is making the future now.
