ICOM has been actively contributing to the 4th Technical Meeting of the Culture Working Group and was present at the Meeting of G20 Ministers of Culture held in Brazil between the 4th and 8th November. Throughout the proceedings, ICOM advocated for the key role of museums and the transformative potential of culture in society, its impact on the economy and sustainable and inclusive development, as well as the promotion of a culture of peace and harmony among peoples.
ICOM’s contributions to the G20 Culture Working Group follow its participation in the 2021 G20 Summit in Italy and in the 2023 G20 Summit in India. ICOM was represented in Brazil by Emma Nardi, President of ICOM and Diego Vaz Bevilaqua, Chair of ICOM Brazil.
ICOM President Emma Nardi and Chair of ICOM Brazil Diego Vaz Bevilaqua
On 8th November, the Salvador da Bahia Declaration was adopted by the Culture Ministerial Meeting. The Declaration recognises the important role of museums in protecting cultural heritage, to support the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural heritage and to promote cultural diversity and social inclusion by advocating for the integration of diverse voices and perspectives in climate action efforts.
In her speech at the Culture Ministers Meeting on 8th November, ICOM President Emma Nardi acknowledged the alignment between the G20 priorities and ICOM’s actions globally. The President also stressed the urgency to foster peace at global level. Finally, she highlighted ICOM’s main achievements during these past months’ negotiations.
“Cultural institutions such as museums, monuments and sites, archives and libraries are at the forefront of preserving and promoting culture through education. These institutions need resources to fulfil their unique mandate of preserving cultural heritage for present and future generations. Reinforcing institutional capacities, particularly those of museums, is a necessary investment for governments that recognize their role.”
Emma NARDI, ICOM President
The G20 Culture Working Group has focused on four priority axes over a series of debates that took place between member and guest countries and international organisations on the priority points of the agenda of the Brazilian presidency of the G20. These are: cultural diversity and inclusion; copyright and the digital environment; creative economy and sustainable development; preservation, safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage and memory.
By advocating on behalf of the museum sector during these discussions, ICOM was determined to advance policy outcomes for museums and cultural institutions across the globe on these key issues.
We are particularly proud of the inclusion of the need for countries to empower museums in their role as protectors of cultural heritage in the Declaration, as well as the recognition of ICOM’s expertise on restitutions and repatriation of cultural objects as essential in future discussions on this issue.
About G20
Founded in 1999, the G20 comprises 19 countries and two regional bodies: the African Union and the European Union. It is an intergovernmental forum dedicated to international economic cooperation.
ICOM’s participation as a civil society organisation in the G20 Culture Working Group corresponds to the ICOM Strategic Plan 2022-2028 priority on Global Positioning.
About G20 Culture
The Culture Working Group “aims to foster discussions and actions aimed at harnessing the transformative potential of culture in society, its impact on the economy and sustainable and inclusive development, as well as the promotion of a culture of peace and harmony among peoples. By placing culture at the centre of our efforts, we can create a legacy of peace, prosperity and cultural enrichment for future generations”.
Between 4th and 8th November, 2024, the 4th Technical Meeting of the Culture Working Group and the Meeting of G20 Ministers of Culture were held in Salvador, Bahia. It is the final stage of a series of debates between member and guest countries and international organisations on priority points on the agenda of the Brazilian presidency in the group composed of the 20 largest economies in the world.
About the International Council of Museums (ICOM)
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is an international non-governmental organisation made up of over 50 thousand museum professionals all over the world. With its 120 National Committees, 34 International Committees, 7 Regional Alliances, and 21 Affiliated Organisations, ICOM is committed to the research, conservation, continuation and communication to society of the world’s natural and cultural heritage, present and future, tangible and intangible. Since 2021, ICOM has been actively engaging with the G20 Culture Working Group in the framework of its role in advocating for museums on the global stage.
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