This Wednesday, the first meeting of the G20 Culture Ministers took place online, which was attended by the head of the national area, Tristan Bauer.

The meeting had Saudi Arabia as host country and Italy as co-host, highlighting “the fundamental role of culture in the economy and development, and that places cultural policies at the center of the world agenda ".

The motto of this meeting was "The advent of the cultural economy: a new paradigm ”and the G20 member countries and invited guests participated, with the aim of deepening international cooperation, so fundamental at this time for the reconstruction process of cultural industries.

After the meeting, Minister Bauer pointed out that in our country “the weight of cultural production in the total economy is around the 2,6 % of Gross Value Added, percentage comparable with that of other strong sectors of the economy ”and added: "Cultural industries play a fundamental role in generating jobs and in the economic reactivation of countries. At the same time, already in the XXI century, it is evident that many of the cultural activities have migrated to virtuality. This trend deepens even more on a planetary level with the arrival of the pandemic ".

In this situation, the official stated that "Internet access is a human right. Reason for which, We call on the governments and multilateral organizations present here to establish mechanisms that will lead us to rapidly reduce the digital divide ".

Finally, Minister Bauer highlighted the importance of recognizing cultural diversity as a way to face the pressing global crisis, in which racist and xenophobic discourses intensify. "In that framework, from our America, we assume the commitment to defend democracy and promote the culture of peace among peoples. We warn that here we are, firmer, more humane and caring. Emerging strengthened as humanity from this global crisis, it depends on us ", express.

They are part of the G20: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, United States and the European Union (EU). Spain is a permanent guest at the G20 meetings, as Jordan, Singapore and Switzerland. International organizations also participating as guests, historically, have contributed to the work of the G20, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the International Labor Organization (ILO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), The United Nations (HIM-HER-IT), (without space) the World Bank Group (GBM), World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (OMC).