Mubarak Al Nakhi highlights the significance of creative economy in the world’s post-pandemic recovery at WCCE

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth was speaking at the third edition of the World Conference on Creative Economy in Bali, Indonesia

His Excellency Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth attended the third World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE), which took place in Bali from October 5-7, 2022. Held under the theme Inclusively Creative – A Global Recovery, the conference is an official side-event of the G20 Indonesia 2022 and addressed how the world should recover using an inclusive, holistic approach based on innovation and creativity.

The Ministry of Culture and Youth also hosted a booth highlighting Creative UAE – the national strategy for the cultural and creative industries. Sharing insights on how the UAE was developing its creative economy, the booth welcomed attendees and key figures from the conference and introduced them to the UAE’s initiatives for boosting the creative economy at national and international level by forging multilateral collaborations with global partners.

Featuring sub-themes such as Creative Economy for Global Revival; Inclusivity and SDGs agenda; IP and Rights of the Creatives; and the Future of Creative Economy, the third edition of the WCCE carried forward the outcomes of the Dubai WCCE Agenda that covered the various facets of the creative economy from its economic benefits, youth focused approach, environmental gains as well as its focus on collaborative action on local, national and international fronts. 

His Excellency Mubarak Al Nakhi attended the opening ceremony of the conference and addressed the audience at the Ministerial Meeting on day 2, which was chaired by Sandiaga Uno, minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia. During the session, H.E. Al Nakhi distributed copies of the WCCE 2021 UAE Report, which was received by members from 39 countries. 

Speaking at the Ministerial Meeting about the significance of the creative economy in establishing a just, equitable and sustainable future, H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi said: “It is no secret that the creative economy does not only generate jobs and exports, but also promotes inclusion, economic diversification, innovation, multiculturalism, and social development.”

“Through consolidated action and multistakeholder partnerships, that UAE has set out on a path to foster conducive ecosystem for creative vocations to thrive,” His Excellency added.

Stressing the role of policy and public-private partnerships, His Excellency said: “Effective policy and government support have been a gamechanger in nurturing a creative economy ecosystem and we will continue to harness creative potential by leveraging cross-sectoral support in the field. In the UAE we acknowledge the value and contribution of the creative economy and continue to build programmes and initiatives that will encourage its further development.”

He spoke about the recently concluded G20 and UNESCO MONDIACULT, which focused on contribution of cultural and creative economy to the global economy and how the cultural and creative industries were gaining momentum through these global conversations.

“Under Indonesia’s Presidency the G20 and guest countries launched a common vision to integrate culture within sustainable development activities, inclusive development, and education. The drive for culture-based policy was central to MONDIACULT 2022 where UNESCO Member States agreed for the integration of culture as a global public good in the post-2030 Agenda for an inclusive and sustainable development,” he noted. 

His Excellency Mubarak Al Nakhi also shed light on the steps the UAE was taking to boost its cultural and creative ecosystem. He spoke about the creative scholarships programme as well as the strengthening of Intellectual Property Rights for creatives in the UAE. He also touched upon the significance of data and data policies to measure the contribution of the creative economy in the national economy.

“From providing world class infrastructure for creatives to flourish to fortifying regulation to protect their rights and creating local and international marketplaces to generate income, the UAE is bolstering the pillars of its creative economy,” he commented.

  WCCE 2021 UAE Report

 Reflecting on the outcomes of the second edition of WCCE, the WCCE 2021 UAE Report elucidates the key takeaways from the conference, which was held in the UAE on the sidelines of Expo 2020 Dubai. With the overarching theme of ‘Inclusive Creative: Cultivating the Future’ – WCCE 2021 discussed the pivotal role of the creative economy and how it drives a human-centric approach to achieve sustainable development goals. The conference built on the discussions that started in Bali in 2018 at the first WCCE. The Dubai chapter of WCCE addressed some of the challenges posed by the unique circumstances resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic diving deep into the pertinent role of the creative economy to build back better and forge sustainable growth in the future.

 With more than 3000 participants from all over the world including thought leaders, policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs as well as representatives from UNESCO, UNCTAD, WIPO, and other international organisations to discuss, debate and deliver the outcomes of the conference which was the concluding event for the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development.

 Friends of Creative Economy

Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Youth attended a virtual session of the ‘Friends of Creative Economy’ on October 5. This invitation-only mini-conference took place as a side event to the main WCCE allowing policymakers and creatives to discuss policies, ideas, and solutions for sustainable development of the creative economy.

 At the end of the conference the Ministers Responsible for Creative Economy portfolio and Heads of Delegations, gathered at Conference adopted the Bali Agenda 2022: A Global Roadmap for Creative Economy. Comprising a 15-point action plan, the Bali agenda urges the inclusion of the creative economy in national and international recovery plans and strategies and lays down a roadmap for boosting, protecting, and promoting creative economy actors.