Dubai is set to host and organize the World Cities Culture Summit (WCCS) 2024, scheduled for October 30 to November 1 next year. This marks the first time the event will be held in the MENA region.
The announcement was made during this year’s summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which took place from October 25 to 27 and was attended by a delegation from the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).
Annual Summit Promotes Cultural Policy Exchange
The World Cities Culture Summit is an annual three-day gathering for member cities of the World Cities Culture Forum, providing a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices in cultural policymaking.
In collaboration with its city partners, the summit conducts extensive research, establishing a robust foundation of evidence to underscore the multifaceted impact of culture on global cities and the lives of their residents.
With over 40 cities worldwide, the World Cities Culture Forum is widely recognized as the leading international network shaping arts and culture policies, according to Gulf Business.
It aims to highlight culture as a fundamental driver of societal and economic growth, emphasizing its role in cities and the creation of sustainable urban centres.
Dubai’s Vision for the 2024 World Cities Culture Summit
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and member of the Dubai Council, said: “Hosting the 2024 World Cities Culture Summit is a testament to the visionary aspirations of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity and a thriving hub for talent.”
“It also solidifies its standing as a hub for knowledge and cultural dialogue, emphasising Dubai’s capacity to bring together cultural leaders from around the world to shape the future of cities, craft forward-thinking cultural policies, and catalyse social and economic progress.”
The chairperson also underlined the summit’s importance as an international platform that brings together diverse global cultural experiences, innovative creativity, and scholarly research to envision the future of cities, fundamentally redefining and reshaping them through culture and creativity.
Moreover, the summit aims to unify efforts in enhancing the quality of life in communities, equipping them better to navigate forthcoming changes.
World Cities Culture Summit attracts reps from 40 global cities
World Cities Culture Summit Attracts Delegates from 40 Global Cities
Launched in 2012 by the Mayor of London in conjunction with the London Olympic Games, the World Cities Culture Forum initially started with a network of eight global cities.
Over the past decade, this network has expanded to encompass 40 global cities across six continents, collectively representing 172 million people.
The forum serves as a platform for policymakers in these cities to exchange research and insights while exploring the crucial role of culture in their future prosperity.
Dubai joined the network in 2020, represented by Dubai Culture, which facilitated its membership, making Dubai and Abu Dhabi the only Arab cities in the forum.
