Latest news with #culturalDiplomacy
Arab News
07-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, China agree to enhance tourism collaboration, promote cultural diplomacy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Culture Minister Huzaifa Rehman agreed to enhance tourism collaboration and advance cultural diplomacy in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Gao Zheng, in Beijing recently, Pakistani state media reported. Pakistan, home to several snow-capped peaks in the Himalayan and Karakorum mountain ranges and ancient archaeological sites such as Mohenjo-Daro and Taxila, has immense potential for tourism. Islamabad has recently pushed to promote its tourist spots to visitors worldwide by establishing air and land links with Central Asian republics and signing agreements to boost tourism with regional allies. Pakistan hopes tourism will help the country earn valuable foreign exchange whilst it grapples with a prolonged macroeconomic crisis. Rehman met his Chinese counterpart Zheng in Beijing on Sunday, during which the two sides discussed advancing collaboration in tourism and other areas, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. 'The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cultural diplomacy, enhancing tourism collaboration, and restoring shared heritage sites between Pakistan and China,' APP said in a report on Sunday. Rehman expressed gratitude for China's friendship and support to Pakistan, the report added. The two sides discussed and agreed on launching joint projects to restore, preserve and digitally document historical landmarks in both countries. They also agreed to strengthen museum development partnerships and organize a series of cultural delegations, art exhibitions and film festivals. They agreed on implementing training programs in museology and professional development for museum staff, while rolling out collaborative tourism campaigns and policy initiatives to boost visitor flows and cultural exploration, the APP report said. The Chinese minister formally invited Rehman to attend the upcoming International Museum Conference scheduled to be held in China in September, which the Pakistani official accepted. 'This landmark meeting paves the way for actionable steps in the near future, setting a strategic roadmap for Pakistan–China cultural partnership and mutual heritage conservation,' the report said. Apart from being a regional ally, China is also a major investor in Pakistan. Beijing has invested in a multi-billion-dollar project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), that connects the two countries through a network of highways, railways and pipelines. Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funneled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
Skift
26-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Turkish Airlines Chairman on Soft Power, Fleet Growth, and the 2033 Vision
Turkish Airlines isn't just building an airline – it's building influence. Ahead of its centenary in 2033, the carrier is refining its soft power playbook. Leaders of Travel: Skift C-Suite Series What are the top trends impacting hotels, airlines, and online bookings? We speak to the executives shaping the future of travel. What are the top trends impacting hotels, airlines, and online bookings? We speak to the executives shaping the future of travel. Learn More Turkish Airlines has long styled itself as more than just a flag carrier. As the company approaches its 100th anniversary in 2033, it is doubling down on a strategy that prioritizes cultural diplomacy as much as cash flow. The airline, 49% owned by Turkey's sovereign wealth fund, has made no secret of its global ambitions. It already flies to more countries than any other airline, but it isn't stopping there. 'We aim to reach a fleet of over 810 aircraft by 2033,' Chairman Ahmet Bolat told Skift. If realized, this would build upon the 480 planes the company operates today. A massive order of up to 350 aircraft from Airbus, announced in December 2023, is one of the centerpieces of this expansion. Yet Bolat's broader message isn't growth for growth's sake. Despite its lofty 2033 goals, the airline is actually dialing down its growth trajectory. 'We are not going to grow as we did before. In the past, we grew around 13% [annually]. Now our growth rate is reduced to 7-8%. So it will not be 10 [new] cities per year. In the next decade, we're looking at maybe around 30 or 35 new cities in total.' Bolat said expansion will also be fueled by enhanced frequencies to existing destinations to make transit times even more efficient. Its Istanbul hub — opened in 2018 and designed to eventually serve 200 million passengers annually — is key to the airline's vision. He highlighted Asia as a particular focus, with a second bank of daily departures under development. Last year, Turkey and China signed a new deal that more than doubles the number of flights allowed between the countries. With the agreement, scheduled passenger flights jump from 21 to 49 per week, plus Turkish Airlines secures rights to operate flights to three additional Chinese cities: Chengdu, Urumqi, and Xi'an. While China's 49 flights are spread across its major carriers including Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, as Turkey's only major long-haul operator, Turkish Airlines can enjoy the increase for itself. Culture as a Catalyst Bolat is bullish on what he terms 'cultural tourism' – part diplomatic mission, part economic bet on high-spending travelers – and there's a hit-list already lined up. Ahmet Bolat joined Turkish Airlines in 2005. credit: turkish airlines 'We are specifically interested in 11 markets. Some of them are in Asia: Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Korea, and others are in the West: Canada, Mexico, and the United States,' he said. The ultimate goal is to bring 15 million visitors to Turkey on cultural tourism trips. These well-heeled travelers won't just be passengers for the national airline but also boost the Turkish economy through spending on the ground. Bolat also mentioned France, Spain, and Italy as focus markets for what he describes as 'cultural tourism exchanges.' It forms part of a broader trend, widely adopted by Turkish Airlines' global rivals, to encourage passengers to spend time in the destination during their transit. It's a 10-hour flight from Istanbul to New York – but distance hasn't hindered the airline's expansion in the United States. The company serves 14 destinations across the U.S., most with daily or double daily frequencies. 'We didn't see much softness like the others faced,' Bolat said when asked about a possible slowdown in demand. 'The U.S. is still our largest market. Last year 1.7 million Americans came to Turkey. Not all on aircraft, some were on cruises and so on, but our goal is to raise this to 5 million.' 2 Cities For The Price of 1: Portugal Turns Stopover Passengers into Tourists TAP Air Portugal is one of a growing list of airlines encouraging transit passengers to explore the country during a long-haul layover. New figures show tens of thousands of travelers took the company up on its offer last year. Read More Fleet in Focus The Turkish Airlines group spans more than a dozen subsidiaries, including maintenance, cabin interiors, cargo, and catering businesses. Despite its pride in doing as much in-house work as possible, some areas remain outside its control. 'The main issue is delays from the manufacturers. Day by day they are informing us of new delays,' said Bolat. To mitigate some of the disruption, the airline has been active in securing leased aircraft. Just last week, it confirmed 14 A321neo planes are bound for its low-cost carrier A-Jet. Bolat said the company will continue to work with lessors to bridge the gap amid delivery delays. With post-pandemic pilot shortages easing, he also confirmed that regional jets remain under consideration, with around 30 aircraft in the pipeline. But what about the inside of the plane? Speaking to Skift last year, Bolat ruled out the introduction of a premium economy cabin. Carriers including Emirates, Korean Air, Finnair, and KLM have all installed this mid-tier option in recent years. The airline has also resisted the temptation to join its international peers in reintroducing first class – with Qatar Airways and Etihad among those doubling down on the concept. This leaves Turkish with a two-class configuration across its global fleet. Operationally simple yes, but is this a missed opportunity? Focused on the two-class strategy, Bolat reported the best business class load factor – an aircraft's average occupancy – in the airline's history. 'I can tell you it is above 60 and close to 70%.' For context, business class load factors at Turkish Airlines have increased almost 10 percentage points from the pre-pandemic levels. This matters because premium travelers typically bring in three or four times the revenue as an economy passenger. Central to this premium ramp-up is a new business class seat called the Crystal Suite. Asked for a progress update on the project, Bolat said it should be in the air next year. The carrier's Airbus A350s will be the first to be equipped with the next-generation offering, with late 2026 the current target. The goal is to have Crystal across all widebody aircraft within three years. This will mean the end of the unpopular 2-3-2 configuration to a more spacious 1-2-1 layout. Narrowbody jets are also getting an upgrade. New 'Royalux' seats, designed by subsidiary Turkish Cabin Industries, should boost comfort for business class travelers on single-aisle jets. 'We're committed to quality at every level,' said Bolat. The carrier is betting that influence and revenue can, and will, rise together. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
SBS Australia
26-06-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Dialogue, diplomacy, and literature: Ghazanfar Hashemi, CEO of World Dialogue Forum America, on global issues
LISTEN TO SBS Urdu 25/06/2025 15:04 Urdu Mr. Ghazanfar Hashmi, based in the United States, serves as the head of the World Dialogue Forum America and the International Academy of Letters, America. A renowned poet, columnist, and translator, he actively promotes cultural diplomacy and international dialogue. Ghazanfar Hashemi emphasises an accountable dialogue on the role of global forces based on moral, democratic and human rights. Instead of following world powers Australia should adopt a separate foreign policy according to its priorities on moral grounds. Ghazanfar Hashemi Hashmi's latest book is titled "A Nation Imprisoned in Myths: American Exceptionalism" Mr Ghazanfar Hashmi at SBS during his Australian visit. (Source SBS Urdu) Listen to the podcast from the link above to learn more. Mr Ghazanfar Hashmi at SBS. (Source SBS Urdu) Listen Wednesday and Friday program at this link. SBS Urdu is on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube. Our SBS Audio app is available for Apple and Android devices. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Arab News
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Qatar's cultural diplomacy as a global platform
As Qatar's 'Years of Culture' initiative marks its 15th partnership in 2025 — partnering with two countries, Argentina and Chile, in a single year for the first time — the program's evolution reflects a broader shift in how the nation views culture as a form of international exchange. Initially a bilateral initiative designed to introduce the world to Qatar in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup — the first ever held in the Arab world — Years of Culture has grown into a major pillar of Qatar's cultural diplomacy. Today, the initiative embodies a global outlook that bridges cultures, fosters long-term relationships and generates dialogue across disciplines. What began as a means to welcome the world to the Arab region's first World Cup has evolved into a dynamic framework for international collaboration. From street art in Sao Paulo to film workshops in Tangier, from Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra concerts to permanent public art installations, the program illustrates how culture can forge lasting connections. These include public art, participation in Qatar's key economic forums and trade fairs, and social development initiatives. The acclaimed 'On the Move' exhibition, first presented during the Qatar-Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region 2022 Year of Culture, was later showcased in China — a legacy partner from the Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture. Likewise, Paris-based Moroccan glass artist Sara Ouhaddou, who first collaborated with Qatar as part of 'Our World is Burning' at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris for the Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture, later participated in the 'Qatar | Morocco: Crafting Design Futures' residency as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture. Several major national initiatives have emerged from the relationships forged during earlier Years of Culture. Lolwah Al Khater Several major national initiatives have also emerged from the relationships forged during earlier Years of Culture. Most recently, Qatar and France announced a comprehensive memorandum of understanding that builds on the foundations laid during Qatar-France 2020. This wide-ranging agreement focuses on capacity building, collaborative exhibitions, professional training, joint research and digitization — demonstrating the enduring impact of cultural exchange. Qatar's approach is distinctive in how it intertwines formal diplomacy with grassroots engagement. Cultural diplomacy in Qatar extends beyond formal institutions. While embassies and cultural ministries play key roles, contributions also come from chefs, archaeologists, economists, volunteers and students. Programming includes high-profile museum exhibitions — such as this year's 'LATINOAMERICANO,' co-curated by MALBA, the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires, and Qatar Museums — as well as community workshops, library exchanges, trade fairs and initiatives grounded in social development. The transformative impact of the initiative is strengthened by its decentralized and collaborative structure. Each cultural year is co-developed with the partner country, encouraging mutual ownership and cultural authenticity. Over time, this has produced a robust network of connections that organizers now draw upon to create multicountry programming. In 2024, for example, the National Museum of Qatar hosted a fashion exhibition spotlighting Moroccan designer Mohammed Benchellal, whose collection was produced using materials found in Doha's car shops and created at the Liwan Design Studios and Labs. The transformative impact of the initiative is strengthened by its decentralized and collaborative structure. Lolwah Al Khater This is an initiative that is well-suited to today's interconnected world — and to a generation of young people who come from multicultural backgrounds, travel more freely than ever before and embrace opportunities for cultural exploration and exchange. The layering of cultural years has also allowed the initiative to deepen thematically. Today, topics such as environmental storytelling, youth engagement and design futures are explored through joint residencies, academic symposia and museum exhibitions. Yet Qatar's broader vision for global engagement remains central. As it shapes its post-World Cup identity, Qatar has embraced cultural diplomacy as a vital expression of its international role — rooted in dialogue and intellectual exchange. For participants, particularly creatives from the Global South, Years of Culture offers a rare platform for visibility, resources and mutual learning. It is not about exporting Qatari culture or importing others. It is about rewriting how culture can move — collaboratively, respectfully and without hierarchy. This ethos is exemplified by the contemporary Qatari art exhibitions that travel to former partner countries such as Germany, China and Russia, showcasing the work of young Qatari artists. Once seen as a rising player on the global cultural scene, Qatar is now establishing itself as a hub of ideas, people, perspectives and possibilities. In the years ahead, Years of Culture may shift from a model of annual partnerships to one of ongoing, intersecting global dialogues — born in Doha but resonating far beyond.
Arab News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Emirati artists perform in showcase at London's Kensington Palace
LONDON: 'If we do not tell our story, someone else will. And they will get it wrong,' said Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, following a performance in London on Friday that brought Emirati talent to a major international platform. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Emirati artists took to the stage at Kensington Palace to present a night of operatic performances. Fatima Al-Hashimi, Ahmed Al-Housani, and Ihab Darwish performed in multiple languages including Arabic, Italian and English. The performance was part of the Abu Dhabi Festival's Abroad program in collaboration with the Peace and Prosperity Trust. The event was intended to promote Emirati cultural expression through classical music and cross-cultural collaboration. Alkhamis-Kanoo said an event like this is vital for cultural diplomacy and is not a one-off, but a commitment to placing Emirati talent on the world stage. 'It's about creating understanding, building dialogue, and showing the world the strength of our cultural identity through music,' he explained. 'We invest in the young, we partner with the world, and we build cultural legacies that last.' The evening also included the premiere of Darwish's latest composition 'Ruins of Time,' which blended orchestral arrangements with traditional Arabic elements. 'Music is the fastest way to reach people. It creates peace, it creates understanding,' Darwish told Arab News. 'Music removes boundaries. It creates a shared language, a dialogue of coexistence, peace, and tolerance. When people from different cultures come together to create music, it naturally fosters mutual understanding.' Al-Hashimi explained the intention behind adapting a classical repertoire to reflect Arab identity. 'Even while singing in Italian, I included Arabic lyrics to keep our signature present,' she said. Al-Housani described the event as a 'professional milestone,' adding: 'Performing here is more than a concert, it's a message. We're here to show the world the strength and beauty of our culture.'
