G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting under the Chairmanship of India Concluded in Varanasi

• 28 Aug 2023

Why in News?

On August 26, 2023, the G20 Culture Ministers' meeting under the chairmanship of India was held in Varanasi. The meeting was attended by G20 members and culture ministers & dignitaries from the invited countries along with representatives of international organizations.

Key Points:

• Under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, the G20 Culture Working Group under the chairmanship of India is engaged in shaping concrete action-oriented outcomes for the four priority areas articulated by India's CWG.
• This discussion is being pursued through sustained consultations through CWG meetings, bilateral sessions and a series of global thematic webinars. The Culture Ministers' Meeting (CMM) was the culmination of all the discussions, deliberations and initiatives of the previous meetings.
• G20 Culture Ministers agreed to harness the transformative power of culture to address today's multidimensional development challenges, such as climate change, rising inequalities and the impact of digital transformation among others & the need to shape more inclusive societies which are based on full respect for the diversity and recognition of the equal dignity of all cultures.
• The outcome document of the meeting of the Culture Ministers of India has been named as 'Kashi Sanskriti Marg'. It summarizes the commitments and consensus made by the G20 Culture Ministers on the priorities expressed by the G20 Culture Working Group under India's G20 Presidency.
• The G20 MOC has unanimously adopted an outcome document titled Kashi Sanskriti Marg.
• The report 'G20 Culture: Shaping the Global Narrative for Inclusive Growth' was launched by the G20 Culture Ministers during the G20 Culture Ministers' meeting. It includes insights and recommendations from the expert-driven global thematic webinars on the four priorities articulated by the Indian Presidency to be held during March-April 2023. This concise publication documents the proceedings of the Global Thematic Webinar organized under the G20 Presidency of India.
• The Culture Ministers released a special edition postage stamp. This special stamp was launched to commemorate the Hallmark campaign 'Culture Unites All', an initiative of the Culture Working Group under India's G20 Presidency. During the Commonwealth Games, the campaign 'Culture unites all' stood as a testimony to India's unwavering faith in multilateralism for inclusive growth.
• Thereafter, the Culture Ministers and delegates witnessed the G20 Orchestra- 'Sur Vasudha' organized by the Culture Working Group under the G20 Chairmanship of India. 'Sur Vasudha' or Treasure of Tunes celebrates the rich musical knowledge and heritage of G20 member countries & guest countries.
• In the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', the concert featured music and musical instruments from G20 members & guest countries. This common platform for musicians aims to promote inclusion & diversity, to encourage the exchange of ideas and international collaboration through music.
• The key outcomes of the Culture Ministers' meeting will be part of the ambitious and collective actions that G20 leaders will discuss during the G20 New Delhi Summit in September 2023.