The UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, for cooperation in the field of culture encompassing antiquities, heritage, arts and libraries. The two countries have agreed to support cultural and creative industries and talented people as well as exchange knowledge and encourage better understanding of each other’s culture, in addition to activating cultural dialogue and meetings between the UAE and Vietnam to foster greater national identity among each other’s peoples.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth, and His Excellency Ta Quang Dong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam.

The MoU lays firm foundations for sharing experiences, information and expertise in the fields of culture, including antiquities, heritage, arts, libraries, cultural and creative industries and the study of each other’s culture, language, literature, arts and heritage. It also fosters cooperation between libraries, and participation in cultural and artistic activities and events in the two countries.

H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi stressed the importance of cultural convergence between different people and promoting dialogue. His Excellency emphasised the importance of the cultural and creative industries and how they should be a national priority in economic development. Nations should acknowledge their contribution in establishing coexistence, understanding and tolerance and their role in taking human relations to greater heights.

His Excellency also pointed out the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of cultural and creative industries between the two countries and creating opportunities for stronger bilateral cooperation.

His Excellency reiterated that this is the best time to explore cooperation in the creative economy and establishing common platforms and initiatives to explore investment opportunities in these promising sectors. This would lead to stronger ties between the two countries in the cultural and creative fields and bolster the framework for policies and regulations to promote creative industries. It would also lead to developing measurement strategies and methodology for the creative industries and enhance training opportunities.  

Through the MoU, the two sides seek to exchange experiences to facilitate the implementation of international agreements under inter-governmental agencies such as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and other international conventions related to antiquities, heritage, arts and libraries, cultural and creative industries and support for talented people.

The two parties called on specialists, scholars, experts and researchers in cultural fields related to antiquities, heritage, arts and libraries, to exchange experiences in implementing plans and taking measures through competent national institutions, inter-governmental agencies and organisations.

The MoU calls for a need to strengthen cooperation between competent authorities in order to raise awareness about each other’s national identity and culture as well as heritage and arts by organising visits of cultural officials, writers and intellectuals between the two countries. It also encourages an exchange of books and publications based on each other's culture and participation in activities and events related to antiquities, heritage, arts and libraries between the two countries within the framework of specific agreements.  

The two countries will also seek to ensure the protection of intellectual property rights in accordance with national legislation and international conventions. They also agreed to host mutual cultural events, facilitate public participation in cultural events, and cooperate in the sustainability of cultural and creative industries, in order to foster greater cultural cooperation between the two friendly nations.

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About the Ministry of Culture and Youth:

The Ministry of Culture and Youth works to enrich the cultural ecosystem of the UAE by supporting the country’s cultural, art and heritage institutions. It provides a platform for artists and innovators, promotes cross-cultural dialogue, and delivers dynamic productions and experiences that represent the UAE’s rich and eclectic culture on national as well as international level. The Ministry’s key mandates include investing in youth and empowering them and building a knowledge-based economy for a sustainable future. The Ministry is also entrusted with regulating the media sector in the UAE by formulating and implementing legislation, regulations, and standards for licensing media and media activities.