The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization witnessed yesterday the inauguration ceremony of the first edition of the largest international contemporary art event “The World Art Forum (WAF)”, that reflects the link between contemporary art and the SDGs, which are in line with Egypt’s 2030 Vision.
“The World Art Forum (WAF)” will be running from 15 to 19 January and will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Emigration and Expatriate Affairs, and the Ministry of Environment, along with the State’s Department of Tourism in Cairo, and in partnership with the United Nations’ Representative Office in Egypt, and the New York International Contemporary Art Society. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Hala El Said, The Minister of Planning and Economic Develoment, Dr. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms. Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, Managing Executive Director of NMEC, Randa Fouad, Contemporary artist and President of Sheranda World Art and the WAF, in addition to a delegation of high-level members such as diplomats of foreign offices in Cairo, public figures and Egyptian and international artists.
And on behalf of Dr. Khaled al-Anani, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim delivered a speech in which he expressed his delight for being elected to host such a prestigious event, in its first edition, which emphasizes NMEC’s role as an artistic, cultural and educational platform that celebrates the various forms of the Egyptian civilization’s rich heritage.
It is worth mentioning that more than 150 artists from 30 countries around the world are participating in the forum. The forum aims to consolidate the relationship of art in general and contemporary art in particular with the development of a culture that promotes a more sustainable future playing a role in enriching human beliefs and the dimensions of human identity and its role in constructing it. It addresses the linkages between contemporary arts and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which is compatible with Egypt’s 2030 Vision.
