The International Council of Museums advocates for the role of museums in preserving cultural heritage and shaping sustainable futures. In line with this commitment, ICOM is participating in the 2025 G20 Second Culture Working Group Meeting (CWG) on 5-6 May in Johannesburg, South Africa, to emphasise the key role of museums in the protection and preservation of cultural heritage and in encouraging sustainable development. For the fourth year, ICOM has been invited to participate as an observatory member, following its involvement in Rome (2021), India (2023), and Brazil (2024).
To tackle the world’s ongoing crises, South Africa has embraced the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” for its G20 Presidency. The high-level deliverables and priorities under this theme are at the core of the original G20 mandate of promoting Strong, Sustainable, Balanced and Inclusive Growth. South Africa’s four priorities for the summit are closely aligned with ICOM’s areas of expertise, including restitution issues, the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property, social inclusion through culture, and resilience to climate change.
These shared focus areas position ICOM as a valuable contributor to this year’s discussions. The priorities of the CWG during South Africa’s Presidency of the G20: Priority 1: Safeguarding and Restitution of Cultural Heritage to protect Human Rights Priority 2: Integrating Cultural Policies in socio-economic strategies to ensure an Inclusive, Rights-based Development Priority 3: Harnessing Digital Technologies for the Protection and Promotion of Culture and Sustainable Economies Priority 4: The Intersection of Culture and Climate Change: Shaping Global Responses In advance of the Ministerial Meeting, where the final declaration will be adopted, four meetings of the Cultural Working Group (CWG) will take place from February to October to develop the declaration. Catherine Snel will represent ICOM as the Head of Delegation during the Second Culture Working Group Meeting (CWG).
Catherine has been serving on museum professional bodies since 2006 and participated in local, national and international conferences, workshops and trainings. She is currently Chair of ICOM South Africa. About G20 Culture The Culture Working Group “aims to foster discussions and actions aimed at harnessing the transformative potential of culture in society, its impact on the economy and sustainable and inclusive development, as well as the promotion of a culture of peace and harmony among peoples.
By placing culture at the centre of our efforts, we can create a legacy of peace, prosperity and cultural enrichment for future generations”. About G20 Founded in 1999, the G20 comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and two regional bodies: the African Union and the European Union. It is an intergovernmental forum dedicated to international economic cooperation.
ICOM’s participation as a civil society organisation in the G20 Culture Working Group corresponds to the ICOM Strategic Plan 2022-2028 priority on Global Positioning. Presidency: South Africa
