G20 Culture Meet ends with consensus on battling threats to cultural heritage

The culture ministers from G20 countries present at the meeting, along with delegates from guest countries and international organisations, expressed concern over illicit trafficking of cultural property “through the rise of the online market and other digital and social platforms”, and added that this may require specific regulation.

The ministers also underlined that destruction and illicit trafficking of cultural property can be linked to organised crimes such as money laundering, corruption, tax evasion and terrorist financing, notably in conflict or post-conflict situations, and reiterating their commitment to strengthen this fight.

While there was consensus on all issues pertaining to culture, there was a discord from Russia and China with regard to two paras labelled as ‘Geopolitical Issues’, which mentioned Russia’s aggression on Ukraine. Para 15 had the member nations reiterating their “national positions” on the issue, deploring “in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demanding its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine.”

Para 16 stressed on upholding international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability, and termed the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons as inadmissible.

While Russia rejected the inclusion of geopolitical Para 15, on the basis that it does not conform to the G20 mandate, China stated that the G20 Culture Working Group is not the right forum to discuss geopolitical issues and did not support the inclusion of the geopolitical-related content.

However, all the countries stood united against the destruction of cultural heritage, whether intentional or collateral, notably in situations of conflicts which curtail prospects of peace and sustainable development for the affected populations. The important outcomes of the Culture Ministers’ Meeting will feed into the collective actions that G20 Leaders will discuss during the G20 New Delhi Summit in September.

Earlier in the day, while addressing the met, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has been working hard to preserve and revitalise its heritage sites. He mentioned mapping the country’s cultural assets and artists at the national level as well as village level. He also mentioned building several centres to celebrate India’s culture and gave the example of the tribal museums located in different parts of the country which showcase the culture of India’s tribal communities.

Referring to the Prime Ministers’ Museum in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said that it is a one-of-a-kind effort to showcase India’s democratic heritage. He also mentioned developing the ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat’ National Museum, which upon completion will stand as the world’s largest museum showcasing India’s history and culture spanning over 5,000 years.

Speaking on the issue of restitution of cultural property, the Prime Minister welcomed the efforts of the working group and said that tangible heritage is not only of material value but it is also the history and identity of a nation. Modi said: “Everyone has the right to access and enjoy their cultural heritage.”