Today marks the commencement of the seventh edition of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Summit, a leading global event that emphasizes the significance of culture and creativity in shaping societies and constructing a more humane future.
Taking place at the Manarat Al Saadiyat from April 27 to 29, the summit features a distinguished lineup of thinkers, artists, policymakers, and innovators from around the world.
This year’s summit operates under the theme “Culture for Humanity and Beyond,” addressing fundamental questions about the role of culture in promoting human values, particularly amidst a world undergoing rapid digital, geopolitical, and social transformations.
Over three days, participants will engage in rich discussions and debates about the future of culture and its relationship with humanity, focusing on how to move beyond traditional thinking and embrace new methods that redefine the present and future.
Among the prominent figures participating are former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jenny Shipley; former Prime Minister of Slovakia, Iveta Radičová; author and former CEO of Google X, Mo Gadot; Glenn Lowry, director of the Museum of Modern Art in New York; Tim Marlow, CEO and director of the Design Museum in London; Thomas Heatherwick, founder and creative director of Heatherwick Studio; Maya Hoffman, head of the Luma Foundation; Hashim Sarkis, dean of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; renowned fashion designer Colin Atwood; cultural studies professor Susan Buck-Morss; William Sargent, chairman of Framestore; Iyad Rahwan, director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development; and Koyo Koh, executive director of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
The summit will explore three main themes throughout its duration; the first day will focus on global transformations from the digital revolution to geopolitical changes and their impact on the cultural landscape. The second day will discuss how the cultural framework can adapt to new challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities, while the third day will propose innovative solutions and frameworks that redefine the relationship between culture and humanity.
Annually organized at the invitation of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the summit collaborates with esteemed international organizations such as UNESCO, Economist Impact, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Google, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House, Club de Madrid, and a number of other leading global cultural and academic institutions.
The summit highlights Abu Dhabi’s commitment to promoting culture as a unifying force and paving the way for a sustainable future that celebrates cultural diversity and creative innovation while providing a global platform for dialogue and cooperation among different communities.