Muscat:The Sultanate of Oman participated in a preparatory meeting of Undersecretaries of Ministries of Culture from GCC states. This meeting, conducted via video conference, served as groundwork for the upcoming 30th meeting of GCC Ministers of Culture, which is scheduled to take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
According to Oman News Agency, Oman was represented by Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. The meeting focused on reviewing a follow-up report regarding the decisions made at the 29th meeting of GCC Ministers of Culture held in Kuwait in 2025. Other discussions included the annual plan for joint GCC cultural events, the budget for international cultural initiatives, and the development of a platform for cultural statistics.
The session covered additional topics such as book fairs, publishing activities within GCC states, and a proposal to establish an overseeing body for these activities. The role of the GCC Centre for Translation and Arabization, particularly regarding the Arabic language, and the publication of the third edition of the directory of GCC writers were also discussed.
Furthermore, the meeting reviewed a joint initiative proposed by Bahrain to enhance the identity of GCC nations and a joint action plan for cultural industries for the period 2027-2030. The importance of increasing public awareness about the inclusion of persons with disabilities in cultural events was also emphasized, ensuring their active participation in the cultural landscape.