The G20 Ministerial meeting will release the Varanasi Declaration on Saturday. The declaration will cover important issues such as the restitution of cultural properties and their use. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, DoNER G Kishan Reddy, and Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi, shared details about the consensus reached among G20 nations, invitee countries, and international organizations like UNESCO.
The official level meetings of the cultural working group have been completed. The ministers of culture from the G20 nations will reach a consensus on various issues, which will form the Varanasi Declaration. On Saturday, the G20 member nations, invitee countries, and six international organizations finalized the draft declaration.
Discussions have taken place regarding agreed-upon points and differences that arose during previous working group meetings. Consensus is expected to be reached on several issues during the ministerial meeting, and these will be included in the Varanasi Declaration of India’s G20 presidency.
Kishan Reddy mentioned that around 450 valuable Indian artifacts have been returned to the country through restitution efforts. India is actively engaging with other countries to bring back cultural properties that were taken out of the country.
The first three working group meetings were held in Khajuraho, Bhubaneswar, and Hampi. All the issues discussed in these meetings were considered in the fourth and final working group meeting. It is a proud moment for Varanasi, known as the cultural capital of the country, to host the release of the Varanasi Declaration on Culture.
Meenakshi Lekhi emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting different cultures. This understanding can lead to positive changes and create a conducive environment, even in diplomacy. Culture plays a key role in bringing people together.
