Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, on behalf of Prince Badr bin Farhan, Minister of Culture, participated in the 25th meeting of Ministers of Culture of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States on Monday. The meeting was held virtually under the presidency of Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and with participation of GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf. The Deputy Minister conveyed Prince Badr bin Farhan's appreciation for the Kingdom of Bahrain for its efforts to enhance cultural cooperation between GCC countries during its presidency of the current session. The meeting discussed joint issues and prospects of cultural activities in GCC countries, in addition to relevant subjects that were included in the final communique and Al-Ula Declaration issued by the Supreme Council in its 41st session (Summit of Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah) that was held on January 5, 2021 in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Attendees also discussed several aspects related to the cultural sector in GCC countries and their efforts in dealing with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its repercussions on the cultural sector. Talks also covered the cultural strategic developments for the GCC countries 2020-2030 and efforts exerted to speed up their implementation. The Deputy Minister of Culture stressed the Kingdom's keenness to enhance joint international cooperation. He expressed Saudi Arabia's aspirations to receive the presidency of next year's session and hosting the coming ministerial meeting. He stressed the importance of joint cultural cooperation among GCC countries in a bid to speed up the recovery of cultural sectors and innovation from the COVID-19 repercussions. — SPA
