Welcome remarks by Ms LiCombrinck, the Chairperson of the Culture Working Group (CWG) at the 4th CWG Meeting, 27 October 2025
Programme Director: Ms Zimasa Velaphi
Honourable Minister Gayton McKenzie
MEC Mntomuhle Khawula
MEC Beauty Ntombizanele Beauty Sifuba
Mayors present, Mr Mayor present: Councillor Cyril Xaba of Ethekwini
DG Dr Cynthia Khumalo
Ms Angela Martins from the African Union
Mr Bruno Melo from Brazil representing the Troika Group
Representatives from UNESCO, our knowledge partner
Distinguished Delegates from G20 Countries, Guest Countries, and International Organizations,
Senior Officials
Members of the Media
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We meet here today to put our heads together to consolidate our work at the 4th and final G20 Culture Working Group meeting under the South African presidency.
And what a year it has been for the G20 Culture Working Group!
From the first online meeting to the webinars to the physical gatherings, to Mondiacult, to side events and the recent intercessional sessions, every contribution has been characterised by careful thought, considered opinion, the need to sharpen an expression or to emphasise a call for action.
There has been great beauty in the way one view adds to another, a dialogue that, you may say, dances and even glitters in the sun, when a bright idea emerges, as we attempt to find each other and reach consensus. And for every statement uttered, there is one responding, there is a responsibility and an answerability at work.
And although country positions may differ, and referring to capitals for guidance is commonplace, I think that every meaning matters and that every innovation, even if discarded, will some day have its homecoming.
Every critique even if rejected or diluted has been heard and will re-emerge in other platforms, if not this one.
I believe I can say without fear of contradiction that this has been an enthusiastic group of people and that we have been blessed with a group dynamic which has demonstrated the Ubuntu that we as South Africans embrace from our indigenous philosophies, a respect and equality that we accord each other and new arrivals in our midst.
In the next two days as we seek to put a final shape to our thoughts, we do so, preparing a path for our Ministers who gather on Wednesday.
Therefore, let us roll up our sleeves and get down to work, today and tomorrow, so that their work is made easier.
Finally, all through our meetings there has been a self-criticism, and the distinct expectation of our Minister and Deputy Minister, that what we do here should not decay or remain as a mere paper trail, but that they need to find expression in this country, and in your countries and in the wider world powered by the powerful G20 group in the cultural domains.
As we turn towards the joint commitments to actions and the annexure in particular, let us ensure that tangible outcomes and deliverables predominate.
Because if culture is provided with an impetus and support to ensure a fulfilling cultural life for all people of the world, then only and only then, will we be able to say that we are fully enhancing formal education, we are contributing positively to climate action, and that indeed we have fully fledged initiatives that can improve the conditions of work of artists and all workers in the cultural and creative industries, especially in digital spaces, that we can safeguard our cultural heritage and nurture linguistic diversity as well as content creation and AI tools discoverability and media plurality, then only shall we be able to say without a doubt that this festival of ideas that is the Culture Working Group has found its feet and that these feet are making giant strides for culture in the world.
I thank you.
