Culture in the G20 under the Presidency of Indonesia
The G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting was convened for the third time under the Indonesian Presidency in 2022, following the ones that were held under the Saudi Presidency in 2020 and the Italian Presidency in 2021. During a two-day event, the Ministers discussed about ways forward to achieve recovery of a cultural sector which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to further support people, communities and the global economy.
While agreeing to explore the creation of a fund to bolster the Arts and Culture sector's recovery (Global Arts Culture Recovery Fund - GACRF), the G20 Culture Ministers also marked their commitment to foster cooperation and promote initiatives linked to digitisation and digital ecosystems, cultural and creative industries and job creation, education and training, preservation of cultural sites, as well as inclusive access and participation in culture.
The outcomes of the exchanges were further reflected in the G20 Bali Leaders' Declaration, which was adopted by the G20 Heads of State at the Bali Summit, held on 15-16 November 2023:
We reaffirm the role of culture as an enabler and driver for sustainable development with intrinsic value beyond its social and economic benefits [...] We will respect, protect and preserve the cultural heritage of our peoples, including local communities and indigenous peoples, as applicable. We support public incentives and sustainable investments from the private sector to strengthen the cultural economy. We will safeguard cultural heritage as well as fighting illicit trafficking of cultural property and promoting restitution to its rightful owner/countries of origin, in accordance with the relevant UNESCO Conventions and national laws.
Priorities
Overall, the Culture Working Group under the Presidency of Indonesia, focused on five priorities:
- Culture for sustainable living;
- Economic, environmental and social impacts of culture-based policies;
- Co-management of cultural resources that promotes sustainable lifestyle at the local level;
- Equitable access to cultural economic opportunities; and
- International resource mobilization for sustainable recovery through global funding for arts and culture.
