Page 40 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - APRIL 2025

Earth Day underscores role of culture, arts in

sustainability: Minister of Culture

WAM
22nd April 2025, 04:24 GMT+11

ABU DHABI, 21st April, 2025 (WAM) -- Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture,
stated that the 22nd of April marks a significant occasion for all, as the world celebrates Earth Day.

"This annual observance is not merely a reminder of the importance of our planet and the need to
preserve it, but a global call for collective action to ensure a sustainable future for humanity," he
said.
"In the UAE, this day holds special meaning, grounded in our firm belief that our responsibility
toward the planet is an integral part of our identity and national values."

He highlighted the UAE's growing emphasis on embedding environmental awareness across
various sectors, particularly through the cultural and artistic fields. "At the Ministry of Culture, we
are committed to harnessing the power of culture and the arts as a soft tool for positive impact -
fostering environmental consciousness and encouraging sustainable practices through artistic
expression and cultural engagement."

The Minister noted that the Ministry is undertaking a wide range of initiatives aimed at embedding
environmental consciousness within cultural and artistic activities. "We support artists and
creatives whose work addresses environmental and sustainability issues and encourage the
production of cultural content that underscores the importance of preserving natural resources and
biodiversity, especially among younger generations."

On the heritage front, he added that the Ministry places strong emphasis on preserving traditional
sustainable practices passed down from ancestors-such as the use of natural materials in
construction, artisanal crafts, and traditional water irrigation methods. "Reviving and passing on
these practices is crucial, not only as a testament to our national and cultural identity but also as
viable solutions for modern-day sustainability challenges."

He also highlighted the UAE National Pavilion's exceptional participation in the 18th International
Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia through the exhibition "Wetland," curated by
Emirati architect and researcher Azza Aboualam.

"This exhibition offers a profound exploration of the relationship between architecture and food
production in arid climates, with a particular focus on the UAE as a living model," he said. "It
presents an innovative vision blending tradition and modernity, drawing on our legacy of adaptation
to desert environments and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to propose practical solutions to
pressing challenges in food and water security."

The Minister noted that the exhibition offers alternatives to centralised technological solutions,
advocating for community participation and accountability. It reflects on the UAE's food production

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