Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano, the Egyptian Minister of Culture, delivered a speech at the 13th Conference of Culture Ministers from Islamic Countries in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The conference was held under the auspices of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), with the theme “The Impact of Culture on Social and Economic Development.”
In his speech, Dr. Hano emphasized that the creative economy is one of the most significant drivers of global growth, contributing over 3% to global GDP and generating revenues of more than $2.25 trillion annually. He added that this sector creates over 50 million jobs, half of which are held by women. He called it a golden opportunity for Islamic countries to support a shared creative market that promotes cultural exchange, opens broader horizons for creators, and ensures sustainable development based on innovation and creativity.
Dr. Hano underscored the close relationship between culture and sustainable development, stating that culture is a key driver for economic growth and social innovation. He also stressed that culture is a fundamental human right that must be accessible to all, including minorities and people with special needs.
Digital Transformation and Protection of Cultural Heritage
The Minister highlighted that digital transformation is no longer an option but an essential necessity to both spread culture and protect cultural heritage from modern challenges such as digital piracy and counterfeit content. He called for the establishment of a unified digital platform under ISESCO to host cultural and artistic archives from Islamic countries, supported by legal and technical frameworks to protect intellectual property rights.
This platform, according to Dr. Hano, could serve as a foundation for supporting digital creative projects, allowing artists to access wider markets and fostering the “orange economy,” which combines human creativity, technology, and knowledge.
Culture and Environmental Sustainability
The Minister also addressed the importance of linking culture with environmental sustainability. He referred to Egypt’s “Green Cultural Economy” initiative, launched during COP27 and extended at COP28 in the UAE and later in Baku, Azerbaijan. This initiative reflects the commitment of Islamic countries to address climate change and its impact on cultural heritage.
He noted that the “Cultural Climate Action Friends Group” is an important step toward enhancing cooperation between countries, promoting sustainable traditional crafts, conserving environmental resources, and intensifying green cultural practices.
Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis
Dr. Hano emphasized that cultural development cannot be discussed without ensuring the protection of cultural assets during emergencies and crises. He called for practical steps to preserve heritage during conflicts, viewing it as an international responsibility to safeguard the cultural memory of nations for future generations.
Strengthening Cultural Cooperation Among Islamic Countries
Concluding his speech, Dr. Hano stated that the conference presents a golden opportunity to unify visions and enhance culture as a cornerstone of sustainable development by supporting the creative economy, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, and heritage protection.
He congratulated Saudi Arabia for hosting the conference and praised its hospitality, extending thanks to Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture. He also congratulated the Minister of Culture of Qatar, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, for his successful leadership of the previous session, which achieved significant progress in cultural cooperation within the Islamic world. Dr. Hano also thanked ISESCO and its Director-General, Dr. Salem Ben Mohamed Al-Malik, for their efforts in strengthening cultural cooperation among member countries.
