Doha is set to host the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic world on 25-26 September 2023. Organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in partnership with the Ministry of Culture in Qatar, this event will bring together culture ministers from many ICESCO Member States, along with representatives of regional and international organizations working in the areas of culture and heritage. The primary agenda is to engage in discussions about renewing collaborative cultural actions and ways to develop cooperation among Islamic countries in this sphere.

The conference, centered around the theme “Toward renewing cultural action in the Islamic world” will host working sessions covering a range of topics, including special reports on the success story of Doha Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, the 18th session of the Consultative Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World, ICESCO’s achievements in the cultural field, cultural policy guidelines and sustainable development indicators in a changing world document: ICESCO’s Initiative for the 18th Cultural Development Goal for Sustainable Development as a model. Additionally, the Conference will endorse the report of the Islamic World Heritage Committee and compose the committee for the forthcoming session.

The Conference will also include working sessions dedicated to the review and adoption of several draft programmes and documents, such as the document on the broad framework of the valorization of Living Human Treasures and traditional knowledge in the Islamic world, development of ICESCO’s programme for cultural capitals in the Islamic world document, and strategy to combat illicit trafficking in cultural property document. Furthermore, a seminar to discuss the latest developments in cultural matters within the Islamic world and their impact on humanity will be organized. The Conference will conclude its proceedings by adopting the Doha Declaration on Renewing Cultural Action in the Islamic World and determining the date and venue for its upcoming sessions.

Before the start of the Ministerial Conference, the Consultative Council for Cultural Development in the Islamic World, whose General Secretariat is held by ICESCO, will hold its 18th meeting on Saturday, September 23, 2023, to discuss several documents related to the Ministerial Conference, mainly the adoption of draft agenda of the Ministerial Conference and the formation of its specialized bodies.

Qatar’s hosting of the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World is the culmination of the success of the activities celebrating Doha Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021, under the slogan ” Our Culture is Enlightenment Culture” from 8 March 2021 to 17 January 2022, which witnessed the organization of approximately 250 cultural events and activities, as part of ICESCO’s Culture Capitals Programme.