Dubai wins bid to host World Cities Culture Summit in MENA region for the first time

The World Cities Culture Summit is an annual three-day meeting for member cities of the World Cities Culture Forum, providing a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices in cultural policy formulation.

In collaboration with its partner cities, the summit embarks on comprehensive research efforts, establishing a strong evidence base to underscore the multifaceted influence of culture on global cities and the lives of their residents. The World Cities Culture Forum, comprising more than 40 cities around the world, is recognized as the most important international network shaping arts and cultural policy, and aims to highlight culture as a fundamental force behind the social and economic growth and emphasizes the role of culture in cities and the creation of sustainable urban centers.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Member of Dubai Council, said hosting this important summit further cements the emirate’s position as a global cultural destination, continuing its journey of building a sustainable economy based on knowledge and innovation. Creative economy.

He added: “Hosting the World Cities Culture Summit 2024 is a testament to the visionary aspirations of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a global center for culture. , an incubator of creativity and a thriving talent hub. It also solidifies its position as a center for cultural knowledge and dialogue, emphasizing Dubai’s ability to bring together cultural leaders from around the world to shape the future of cities, craft forward-thinking cultural policies and catalyze social and economic progress. economic”.

Sheikh Latifa also highlighted the importance of the summit as an international platform that brings together international cultural experiences, creative innovations and academic research to envision the future of cities, redefine and reshape them through culture and creativity. Additionally, the summit seeks to consolidate efforts to raise the quality of life in communities, ensuring that they are better equipped to face future changes.

Hala Badri, Director General of Culture of Dubai, said that hosting the World Cities Culture Summit in Dubai enables the establishment and development of a global network of relationships and fosters new cultural partnerships that enhance Dubai’s leadership and global position. .

He said: “The holding of the World Cities Culture Summit reflects the visionary approach of Dubai’s wise leadership and helps drive the city’s cultural and development journey. The summit represents an international platform that highlights Dubai’s efforts to preserve cultural and human heritage and create new opportunities for creative talent to interact with international networks. It allows us to exchange knowledge with global cultural leaders, experts and specialists in this field to find innovative solutions using cultural and creative experiences in urban development.”

Founded in 2012 by the Mayor of London to coincide with the London Olympics, the World Cities Cultural Forum began as a network of eight global cities. Over the past decade, the network has grown to 40 global cities spanning six continents, collectively representing 172 million people.

The forum provides a way for policymakers in these cities to share research and intelligence and explore the vital role of culture in their future prosperity.

Dubai announced its membership in the network in 2020, represented by Dubai Culture, which prepared the membership file, making Dubai and Abu Dhabi the only Arab cities within the forum.