World leaders highlight role of culture in global governance at Abu Dhabi summit
Former heads of state call for cultural inclusion, innovation in international institutions
ABU DHABI, UAE (MNTV) – Abu Dhabi hosted the seventh edition of the Culture Summit at Manarat Al-Saadiyat, where world leaders gathered to highlight the vital role of culture in tackling global challenges.
Themed “Culture for Humanity and Beyond,” the summit hosts panels and discussions aimed at exploring how cultural understanding and creativity can drive solutions to complex international issues, reported Arab News.
At the “Bridging the Cultural Gap: The Role of Culture in Shaping Global Governance” panel, former Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova underscored the planet’s vast cultural diversity, noting that today’s 8 billion people are divided among 195 states and 6,000 community groups.
She called for a new global governance model that centers culture rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley stressed the importance of intentional leadership that embraces diversity, sharing New Zealand’s example of integrating Maori cultural heritage into national governance.
“If you’re not a committed, inclusive leader, you will not get to the destination of equity,” she said.
Former President of Mauritius Cassam Uteem highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy through his country’s active participation in UNESCO, advocating for the perspectives of small, developing island states in global forums.
Panelists agreed that traditional international institutions are inadequate for today’s complex cultural realities and called for innovative approaches that recognize culture’s central role in governance.
Radicova summed up the discussion by stating, “Culture is the mirror of human existence and the producer of new dreams, and without dreams, we lose our human dignity.”
The importance of combating misinformation and preserving cultural authenticity in an era of rapid technological change was another recurring theme, with Radicova urging leaders to “fight for the truth, with courage and really verified arguments.”
Culture Summit Abu Dhabi continues this week with further panels, performances, and workshops engaging artists, policymakers, and cultural leaders from around the world.
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