Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has officially opened the 2024 World Cities Culture Summit in Dubai.
This prestigious event, themed “Tomorrow’s Culture: How Will the Next Generation Shape Our World?”, is being held in the MENA region for the first time.
The summit has attracted participation from over 36 cities worldwide and will run until November 1. It serves as a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas and expertise, showcasing cities’ commitment to supporting the creative economy, investing in cultural industries, and nurturing talent to reshape the future of creative cities.
Sheikha Latifa expressed pride in Dubai being the first Arab city to host this esteemed summit, highlighting its role as a center for culture, innovation, and creativity, as well as a meeting point for thought leaders and creatives from around the world.
“Today, the world gathers in Dubai to discuss culture’s role in shaping future cities and to create a global framework for cultural policy. This summit embodies Dubai’s bold vision for the future, reflecting the ambitions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to build a sustainable future through creativity and innovation. The theme, ‘Tomorrow’s Culture: How Will the Next Generation Shape Our World?’ emphasizes our commitment to empowering our youth – the future leaders. Their ideas and talents will create new paths of excellence and innovation for a brighter tomorrow,” she said.
Focus on Education
During the summit’s opening ceremony, Sheikha Latifa launched the global report “The Future of Education in the Creative Economy,” which explores the changing role of education in cultural industries and highlights the importance of investing in education to foster a knowledge-driven economy. She stressed the need for an inspiring environment to empower youth, helping them reach their full potential while strengthening global cultural sectors.
“Through this summit, we unite our efforts to elevate youth as future leaders and innovators, focusing on building strong educational foundations that will shape their futures. We are proud to launch this report, marking a significant step in education within the cultural sector, highlighting its critical role in sustaining the creative economy,” she said.
Held under Sheikha Latifa’s patronage, the summit kicked off with a vibrant ceremony at the Al Maktoum Residence in Al Shindagha Museum, the UAE’s largest heritage museum. The opening featured a keynote address by Dubai Abulhoul, an Emirati author and Rhodes scholar, who shared insights on how cultural storytelling can address current challenges. Her inspiring message encouraged attendees to see culture as a tool for transformation that bridges gaps across generations.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, stated, “The World Cities Culture Summit shapes the future of our cities through culture. Hosted in Dubai for the first time, we focus on the role of youth in designing our future. Cities must tackle the climate crisis, create good jobs, build strong communities, and grow economies. Leaders worldwide are collaborating to meet these challenges and unlock culture’s transformative power for all.”
On the summit’s first day, sessions were held under the theme “People, Places, and Planet,” hosted in various heritage houses within the Al Shindagha Museum. The opening session, “The Next Generation in Action,” explored ways cities can inspire youth to engage with culture and advocate for cultural heritage in their communities. A following session titled “Culture: Keeping Hope Alive in a Changing Climate” addressed how culture can drive creative solutions to environmental issues.
Another session, “Global Innovations for Creative Spaces,” highlighted strategies for creating affordable spaces as cities face rising living costs. “African Cities, Global Voices” showcased African cities as innovation hubs, emphasizing the role of cultural diplomacy and storytelling.
During the “24-Hour Culture: Designing the Night” session, speakers discussed inclusive night-time economies with initiatives like night markets and light festivals. The final session, “Culture: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once?” looked at new ways to engage communities, from partnerships with Indigenous groups to embedding culture within neighborhoods.
Leadership Exchange Program
The day also marked the launch of the third round of the “Leadership Exchange Programme,” supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among cities.
Dubai’s proactive approach made a significant impact on the summit, which saw the host city’s task force actively involved in programming. This highlighted the importance of local-global collaboration in shaping future urban cultural policies. Dubai also introduced an innovative summit archive, documenting discussions and insights to ensure the longevity of best practices. A new sustainability report was released, integrating environmental concerns into cultural initiatives, reinforcing the role of culture in driving climate-positive actions. Additionally, a policy accelerator focused on the night-time economy set new standards for enhancing cultural activities that support urban economic growth.
To extend the summit’s impact, Dubai Culture will host a public session at Alserkal Avenue on October 31, titled “Tomorrow’s Talent: What Do Creatives Need from Cities?” This session aims to inspire talent and community members to share ideas with experts and leaders on affordable workspaces, innovative education, and city support for creatives.
The summit began with a stunning opening ceremony featuring Emirati writer Shamma Al Bastaki and Oud player Seif Ahmed Al Ali, celebrating the UAE’s rich heritage and diverse landscapes. The event highlighted Dubai as a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs, investors, thinkers, and creatives worldwide, showcasing local craftsmanship through live performances, including Al Sadu weaving and pearl diving.
Supporting local talent, Dubai Culture showcased Emirati chefs like Meera Al Naqbi and twin chefs Abdulrahman and Maitha Al Hashmi, whose culinary creations added flavor to the opening day. This initiative reflects Dubai Culture’s mission to inspire and showcase Emirati creativity to diverse audiences.
Flagship Event
The summit serves as the flagship event of the World Cities Culture Forum, a leading network for cultural policymaking. The forum enables city leaders to share research and explore culture’s vital role in future growth, with over 45 member cities that recognize culture as a key driver of social and economic development.
The summit gathers a diverse group of Deputy Mayors, Culture Commissioners, and city leaders, offering a unique platform for networking, collaboration, and idea exchange. It is a solutions-focused event that encourages collaboration to enhance citizens’ lives through culture. Over half of past attendees have implemented or improved cultural policies in their cities directly as a result of the summit.
