UNESCO Highlights Innovation and Creative Futures at the Second World Crafts Forum in Kuwait

The Second World Crafts Forum, held in Kuwait as part of the Qurain Cultural Festival, under the gracious patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah from 1 to 3 February 2026. The forum brought together leading policymakers, artisans, cultural institutions, and international, regional and local experts to advance global dialogue on the future of crafts and their role in socio-economic development, sustainability, and the creative economy.

As a strategic partner, UNESCO played a pivotal role in the Forum, highlighting the essential contribution of crafts as drivers of cultural identity, innovation, and inclusive economic growth across the Arab States and beyond. UNESCO hosted a dedicated panel titled "Reflections of Innovation: Arab States and the Creative Future," which showcased UNESCO's initiatives supporting creative craft production across various regions in the Arab world. The panel featured distinguished speakers: Rasul Samadov, Programme Specialist, UNESCO; Jawida Mansour, Programme Associate - Culture, UNESCO; Dr. Randa Rizk, expert in cultural education and development; and Tayma Abu Hakmah, architect and UNESCO local coordinator.

Panelists emphasized the importance of integrating responsible and ethical innovation into craft practices-striking a balance between tradition and modernity, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for artisans, and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, particularly among endangered craft traditions. They also highlighted emerging opportunities linked to digital marketplaces, ethical fashion, and environmentally conscious production models.