Amman, December 14 (Petra) – Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh said that culture has become a key resource for sustainable development, grounded in human creativity and innovation and a true form of capital that strengthens the cultural and economic standing of societies and nations.

Speaking Sunday at the launch of the programme titled "Strengthening Evidence-Based Cultural and Creative Policies: Towards a Regulatory Framework for Creative Sectors and Industries in Jordan," Rawashdeh said the initiative reflects a shared conviction that culture is not a luxury, but a fundamental pillar of comprehensive development.

The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the UNESCO Office in Jordan and in partnership with the European Union.

Rawashdeh highlighted the growing global focus on cultural industries and the creative economy as major drivers of sustainable development.

He noted that creativity is not limited to artistic expression, but is a productive force that stimulates economic growth, creates jobs, empowers youth and expands entrepreneurship opportunities.

He said the Ministry is committed to developing an integrated regulatory framework that protects creators' rights, supports innovation and enhances the role of culture as a socio-economic driver, in line with national priorities and strategies.

The Minister explained that the programme includes national consultations, training workshops, peer engagement and international knowledge exchange.

These activities, he said, represent an investment in building a sustainable cultural system capable of formulating and implementing effective policies and creating an enabling environment for creativity and innovation.

Rawashdeh added that cultural industries play a central role in shaping national identity, reflecting historical, linguistic, social and value-based dimensions.

He outlined the Ministry's efforts to support these industries through the provision of infrastructure, training curricula, experts and the expansion of arts training centres across governorates, particularly in villages and rural areas.

In cooperation with several ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Youth, training centres have been established to equip young men and women with skills in music, visual arts, Arabic calligraphy, ornamentation, sculpture, ceramics, mosaics, drama and screenwriting.

Graduates of these centres are expected to gain the skills needed to enter the creative labour market.

Rawashdeh expressed hope that the programme would enhance Jordan's regional position in cultural and creative industries and contribute to building a sustainable cultural economy that promotes innovation, protects creators' rights and achieves balanced cultural and economic development.

EU Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas praised Jordan's leadership in the programme and its close cooperation with UNESCO across multiple sectors, including culture, education and media.

He commended EU-Jordan partnerships aimed at promoting Jordan's cultural and tourism heritage and noted EU-supported projects to enhance heritage sites in Al-Muwaqqar, Madaba, Abila (Al-Qweilbeh) and Umm Qais, underscoring culture's role in economic modernisation.

UNESCO Office in Jordan Director Nuha Abdul Aziz Bawazir reaffirmed UNESCO's commitment to supporting Jordan's cultural and creative sectors as engines of sustainable development.

She said the programme reflects a shared belief that culture is both a source of identity and a driver of inclusive growth, innovation and social cohesion.

Bawazir noted that the initiative is grounded in the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which Jordan ratified in 2005.

She added that the convention provides a framework for evidence-based and inclusive cultural policies that recognise the cultural and economic value of creative expression.

She explained that the programme forms part of the third phase of the UNESCO–EU Technical Assistance Programme (2023–2026), which supports eight partner countries and aims to develop practical tools tailored to national cultural ecosystems.

UNESCO Project Manager floor oudindijk presented an overview of linking culture with sustainable development and highlighted UNESCO's efforts in Jordan to support cultural industries, foster innovation and strengthen cultural institutions.

Secretary-General of the Ministry of Culture Nidal Ahmad outlined the Ministry's vision under the programme, reviewing its objectives, phases and expected outcomes.

He discussed the current status of cultural and creative industries in Jordan, associated challenges and opportunities and the importance of legal frameworks and partnerships in supporting sustainable development.

Programme sessions and activities on the first day featured contributions from representatives of the Ministry of Culture, UNESCO, civil society, the private sector and cultural stakeholders, focusing on the role of cultural and creative industries in sustainable development and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing them in Jordan.

//Petra// AK

14/12/2025 20:23:27