G20 Culture meet at Varanasi moving towards ‘full consensus’: Officials

Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said that the Varanasi Culture meetings have created an opportunity to discuss multi-dimensional global relations related to the cultural sector. He added that the declaration will be made on the basis of everyone’s inputs.

During the earlier G20 ministerials in other tracks, a complete consensus could not be reached, with Russia dissociating itself from the document owing to specific paragraphs that mention and “deplore” the war in Ukraine.

Officials in the Ministry of Culture say that they have been able to reach a consensus in the culture working group on all issues pertaining to the domain of culture, even as geopolitical political issues remain in the domain of sherpas.

Among the major issues being pursued under the culture track of India’s G20 Presidency is the restitution of stolen antiquities and objects.

During the day-long G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting slated on Saturday, several ministers and representatives from the G20 member nations and guest countries along with representatives of six international organisations — including UNESCO and ICOMOS — will take part in deliberations.

Mohan also said that they have moved from draft zero to draft 4 during the four working group meetings, ironing out disagreements along the way.

The Culture Working Group’s first meeting was held in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, followed by two more in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar and Hampi in Karnataka

A government statement on Wednesday said 170 delegates from G20 member and guest nations and various international organisations are attending the event in Varanasi.

A performance by the G20 Global Orchestra, titled ‘Sur Vasudha’, celebrating the musical heritage of the member nations of the bloc and invitee countries will be presented in the temple town on Saturday evening.

Artistes from 29 countries — one each from G20 member nations and nine invitee countries — will perform with traditional instruments in the special orchestra.

Officials said the aim is to arrive at “actionable outcomes” while positioning culture at the heart of policymaking.