Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Ghassan Salameh, Lebanese Minister of Culture, and in the presence of Dr. Ali Al-Samad, Director-General of the Ministry of Culture, the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization concluded, on October 23, 2025, the regional capacity-building workshop on the Policies and Governance of Culture and Creative Economy, held in Beirut, Lebanon.
The workshop brought together around forty participants, including cultural sector officials and staff, heads of cultural organizations and associations, culture and arts practitioners, along with researchers and experts.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Minister of Culture, Dr. Ali Al-Samad expressed his gratitude to ALECSO for its continued support to Lebanon and for providing favorable conditions for the success of the workshop. He commended the programs implemented by ALECSO in the fields of culture and heritage, affirming that cooperation between Lebanon and ALECSO has continued uninterrupted, and has witnessed a qualitative evolution in recent years, both in terms of the diversity of programs and areas of collaboration. He indicated that Lebanon hosts the ALECSO Architectural and Urban Heritage Observatory, and that Tripoli was chosen as Arab Capital of Culture for 2024. He highlighted the programs and initiatives sponsored by ALECSO, which reflects its constant commitment to supporting Lebanon.
For his part, Dr. Ahmedou Habibi, ALECSO’s representative, conveyed the greetings of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, to all participants and to the Lebanese Ministry of Culture. He stated that the Director-General insists on the need to intensify efforts and strengthen cooperation with all Arab countries, particularly those facing exceptional circumstances, as part of ALECSO’s commitment to supporting joint Arab cultural action.
The three-day workshop focused on building capacities in the areas of cultural policy and governance, on mechanisms and methodologies for developing local cultural policies and linking them to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as on the governance and development of the cultural and creative economy in the Arab world.
