The third and fourth working group session of the 1st Cultural Working Group Meeting was organized on Friday at  Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Centre in Khajuraho. 

Presentations were made on the working process along with presentations by knowledge partner UNESCO.

Secretary, Culture Shri Govind Mohan in his concluding remarks said that the first meeting of the Culture Working Group under India's G20 chairmanship ended today. In the meeting, there was a  discussion on the priorities set by India in four important sessions. Shri  Govind Mohan said that India had put forward four main themes for this meeting. These include the Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property; Harnessing Living Heritage of Sustainable Future; Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy, and  Leveraging of Digital Technology for the Protection and Promotion of Culture.

In the two-day brainstorming, a consensus has emerged among the G-20 member countries, guest countries and international organizations that took part in the meeting that these topics should be taken forward strongly.  All countries supported our proposal, he added.

Mr. Govind Mohan said that it was agreed in the meeting that experts should now work on micro-level detailing through webinars so that by August we can announce a new initiative and based on that a new path can be carved out.  He said that bilateral talks have also taken place in the meeting between many countries including the United Kingdom, Mauritius, Japan, Singapore, United States of America.

Later in the evening, the G20 delegates also visited Adivart Tribal and Folk Art Museum in Khajuraho today. In the museum, representative houses and daily needful things of all the seven major tribes of the state i.e. Gond, Baiga, Bheel, Bhaira, Korku, Kol and Saharia have been constructed and collected here along with all five cultural regions i.e. Baghelkhand, Bundelkhand, Malwa, Nimar and Chambal.

Earlier yesterday, the opening session of the 1st Cultural Working Group Meeting focused on discussions regarding the four priorities of the Indian Presidency which promote Culture as an enabler for global sustainability & growth with the visiting delegates. Indonesia and Brazil, members of the TROIKA delivered their opening remarks with Indonesia reiterating that Culture and creativity are at the forefront of sustainability. Following the remarks from Indonesia, Brazil commented on its commitment to build upon these priorities taking it forward in the country’s upcoming presidency. Mr. Ernesto Ottone R , Assistant Director General of UNESCO for Culture talked about how the outcome of G20 CWG under the Indian presidency will be a vital contribution to firmly anchor Culture in the post 2030 agenda. During the second half of the session, all 17 members presented their National statements.

The session was organised at the Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Centre in Khajuraho yesterday.  The session started with welcome remarks from the  Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar followed by the  Minister of State for Culture, Smt Meenakshi Lekhi.

Thereafter, Shri Govind Mohan, Secretary - the Ministry of Culture and Chair - Culture Working Group under India’s presidency of G20 highlighted the need of the hour to reinvigorate the protection of culture worldwide for reshaping the global creative and cultural economy in his opening remarks. Smt Lily Pandeya, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture elaborated the four priority areas that will be at the centre of discussions during the meetings.

Later in the evening of 23rd February 2023, G20 delegates visited the Western group of Temples and were given a guided tour. The  G20 delegates also enjoyed Colorful and Vibrant performances choreographed by the Sutra Foundation from Malaysia headed by  Shri Ramli , at the Western Group of Temples,  Khajuraho.