Somali minister attends Putin reception at international culture forum in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdirahman Qasim Mohamud, attended a reception hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin for participants in the 12th International United Cultures Forum in St. Petersburg, the Somali government said.

The reception was held on the sidelines of the forum, which brings together officials and representatives from different countries to discuss culture, heritage and international cultural cooperation.

In remarks at the gathering, Putin stressed the role of culture in bringing people and societies closer together and maintaining dialogue even when political and economic relations become strained.

The Russian president also highlighted the importance of protecting diverse cultural identities, encouraging youth participation and expanding the exchange of knowledge and experience between countries.

Somalia’s participation was represented by Minister Abdirahman Qasim Mohamud, who thanked Putin and the Russian government for hosting the forum and for what he described as a warm welcome to the participating delegations.

The minister said the forum provided Somalia with an opportunity to showcase the country’s cultural heritage and engage with representatives from other nations on ways to strengthen cultural cooperation.

He said Somalia’s presence at the event would also allow the country to exchange experience and explore partnerships that could benefit cultural institutions, artists and creative industries.

Somalia has a long and diverse cultural heritage spanning traditional music, poetry, literature, crafts and performing arts. Government officials have increasingly highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy in promoting Somalia’s heritage and strengthening international ties.

The St. Petersburg forum focuses on cooperation in the cultural sphere and brings together government officials, cultural institutions and representatives of the creative sector.

For Somalia, the participation comes as the government seeks to increase international engagement around the country’s cultural heritage and create opportunities for Somali artists and creative professionals.

The ministry said the discussions also offered an opportunity to build links between cultural institutions and promote exchanges that could support the development of Somalia’s arts and creative sectors.

Putin’s comments at the reception emphasized culture as a channel for continued communication between societies, including during periods when relations between governments may face difficulties.