In yet another milestone, Dubai has secured the honor of organizing the 2024 World Cities Culture Summit (WCCS). Scheduled from October 30 to November 1, 2024, this is the first time that the event will be held in the MENA region.
The announcement was made during the recently concluded summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A delegation from the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) took part in the event.
A global confluence of ideas
WCCS is an annual gathering that unites member cities of the World Cities Culture Forum. It serves as a pivotal platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices in the realm of cultural policymaking. Through close collaboration with its city partners, the summit embarks on comprehensive research endeavors that help lay the foundation for empirical evidence to highlight the multifaceted influence of culture on global cities and residents.
With representation from over 40 cities worldwide, the forum is the international network that shapes arts and culture policies. It aims to highlight culture as a fundamental force behind societal and economic growth. Moreover, it emphasizes the role of culture in cities and the creation of sustainable urban centers.
Dubai’s vision
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairperson of Dubai Culture and member of the Dubai Council, stressed the significance of hosting this prestigious summit. She reiterated Dubai’s commitment to become a global culture center, a space for creativity and talent. Therefore, this achievement solidifies Dubai’s standing as a hub for knowledge and cultural dialogue, converging cultural leaders from around the world.
The summit’s global prominence underpins its role as an international platform. It unites diverse cultural experiences, innovative creations, and scholarly research. Furthermore, it envisions the future of cities, aiming to redefine and reshape urban landscapes through culture and creativity. Moreover, the summit seeks to consolidate efforts that enhance the quality of life, and ensure communities are well-prepared to navigate future transformations.
Hala Badri, director-general of Dubai Culture, noted that Dubai’s hosting of the summit encourages the strengthening of relationships in the international arts and culture community. This fosters new cultural partnerships that enhance Dubai’s leadership and global standing. Moreover, the summit spotlights Dubai’s efforts to preserve cultural and human heritage while creating opportunities for creative talent to engage with international networks. It provides a platform for the exchange of knowledge with global cultural leaders, experts, and specialists. That is aimed at finding innovative solutions through cultural and creative experiences in urban development.
Meanwhile, in related news, Dubai has retained its prominent position in the MENA region on Kearney’s Global Cities Index. Ranking 23rd globally, Dubai has secured a place in the top 25 for the third consecutive year. This accomplishment highlights Dubai’s unwavering commitment to global leadership and cultural excellence. On the other hand, Abu Dhabi has also made significant strides, climbing 10 spots in the global rankings.
Read: All you need to know: UAE rankings in top international indices
Measuring the essence of global city leadership
The Global Cities Index (GCI) assesses a city’s capacity to attract, retain, and generate global flows of capital. Cities are evaluated across five key dimensions: human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, political engagement, and business activity. Therefore, this index underscores the resilience and adaptability of cities in a changing global landscape.
The average GCI scores have stabilized, marking a change after a period of decline spanning several years. Notably, cities across the Middle East and Africa have shown marked improvements. Specifically, the capital cities of Gulf nations have experienced substantial progress, with Riyadh, Muscat, and Doha elevating their overall rankings.
This elevation was fueled by exceptional performance in the human capital dimension. These cities seized the opportunity of international travel freedom returning to pre-pandemic levels to attract significant numbers of migrant talent and tourists.
Complementing the GCI is the Global Cities Outlook (GCO), which identifies cities most likely to achieve future global prominence. A dispersed opportunity is emerging, with diverse cities, both in Europe and Asia, making significant strides towards becoming global hubs. European cities maintained a strong presence in the top 30 rankings. Meanwhile, Asia’s global hubs including Seoul, Osaka, and Chennai made significant strides
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