BRICS countries to publish best practices to protect cultural community online

The Brazilian Ministry of Culture held the first meeting of this year's BRICS Working Group on Culture via videoconference. It was attended by representatives of China, India, Egypt, Russia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, South Africa, and the UAE, according to the official website of the Brazilian Government.

The main topic of the meeting was the issue of restitution of cultural property. Rania Abdellatif, Director General of International Relations, Egyptian Ministry of Culture Key Achievements and Cultural Diplomacy stressed that the country's leadership is actively seeking the return of lost artefacts.

"We have made significant progress in restoring cultural property and are in favour of its return to the countries of origin. It is not only about preserving art, but also about protecting priceless testimonies of history," she said.

The participants from Indonesia and Iran, in turn, emphasised the importance of international cooperation in preserving historical heritage. In addition, the Indian side raised the problem of illegal sale of cultural property, and Russia and South Africa spoke about their initiatives to preserve heritage.

Plans for 2025 were also presented at the meeting. Among them are the BRICS Film Festival, the publication of a compilation of best practices of the BRICS countries to protect the rights of cultural workers in the digital space, and the launch of a platform for the creative professions industry. In addition, a number of seminars and other events are planned.

The in-person meeting of the working group will be held in Brasilia on 22 and 23 May, and the meeting of BRICS Culture Ministers will be held on 26 May.

Photo: iStock