New Delhi, Jul 30 (Bureau) Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi, addressing the G20 Culture Ministers Meeting, on Friday reiterated India’s commitment to international cultural cooperation and collaboration as part of efforts to support and facilitate the cultural and creative sectors of societies. In her address, she presented India’s perspective on the topic ‘Culture and Creative Sectors as Drivers for Growth’ and emphasized that culture and creative sectors can drive growth through generating employment, reducing inequalities, promoting development in a sustainable manner and providing distinct identity to people. Lekhi tweeted, “Participated in the G20 Cultural ministers meeting 2021. Spoke about how the Covid pandemic has shown us the need for international cooperation in all fields including that of culture by working towards capacity building & tech upgradation.”
The Minister highlighted the various measures taken by India to develop the culture and creative sectors like the One District One Product scheme of Government of Uttar Pradesh, Tourism circuits, promotion of Yoga and Ayurveda etc, an MEA statement said. She emphasised and supported the need for international dialogue and collaboration to tackle common issues connected to the cultural and creative sectors and to suitably inform and adopt public policies. At the virtual meeting hosted by Italy during their ongoing Presidency of G20 in 2021, a discussion was held on Protection of Cultural Heritage; Addressing the Climate Crisis through Culture; Building Capacity through Training and Education; Digital Transition and New Technologies for Culture; and Culture and Creative Sectors as drivers for growth.