Special Session of G7 Ministers Meeting on Culture held in Naples, Italy

The Ministry of Culture, Secretary Arunish Chawla, has emphasised that culture should be seen as a dynamic force for growth rather than just a relic of the past. He stressed that recognising culture as a standalone goal in the post-2030 Sustainable Development Agenda represents a paradigm shift in how we view development. 

Mr Chawla was speaking at a Special Session of the G7 Ministers meeting on Culture, which was held yesterday in Naples, Italy. The meeting was also attended by cultural leaders, including those from the African Union, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

Mr. Chawla apprised me that India’s flourishing partnership with the African Union entails unprecedented economic, cultural, and strategic ties between the world’s largest democracy and the vibrant nations of Africa. He added that the African



Union’s recent admission as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s Presidency marks a significant milestone in this relationship. Mr Chawla added that in the field of the creative economy, the India-Africa Union partnership is poised to unleash numerous opportunities.

He also said that India made a significant pledge of one million dollars to strengthen capacity building in small island developing states (SIDS), least developed countries (LDCs), and the African region, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Africa’s rich heritage initiatives. 

According to the Ministry of Culture, the Naples Statement was signed on ‘Culture for the Sustainable Development of Africa and the World’. It is aimed at working with African governments to leverage culture as a driver of sustainable development.