The Extraordinary Virtual Conference of Culture Ministers of Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Member States was held on 17 June 2020 under the theme of ‘Sustainability of Cultural Action in the Face of Crises (Covid-19)’. The Conference virtually brought together Ministers responsible for Culture from ICESCO Member States alongside representatives of several OIC institutions, regional and international organizations. The Conference was chaired by H.E. Ms. Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development of the United Arab Emirates.

During the Extraordinary Ministerial Conference, the Ministers of Culture made statements regarding the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic on culture and exchanged ideas about their national responses in addressing those challenges. They also highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation and efforts in order to reduce the existing and potential future negative consequences on cultural and tourism activities. The statements emphasized that digital technologies and the internet are two important tools that could help the Member States address challenges posed by the pandemic.

Mr. Fadi FARASIN, Assistant Director General of SESRIC, addressed the Conference and highlighted the nexus of culture and tourism and emphasized that cooperation among OIC Member States in the domain of tourism has enormous potentials given the rich cultural and historical assets of the Member States. The Conference concluded with the adoption of the ‘Declaration of Virtual Extraordinary Conference of Culture Ministers of ICESCO Member States’.

Photos