Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Today is International Museum Day. First celebrated in 1977, last year over 37,000 museums in over 150 countries took part. The day aims to raise awareness of museums as arenas for cultural exchange, where we enrich our understanding of ourselves and others. This year's theme, the power of museums, taps into this transformative potential. It explores how museums benefit their communities by disseminating ideas around sustainability and the social economy; innovating and improving digitalisation to expand access; and, community building through a democratic, social fabric that provides lifelong learning opportunities. Truly, museums can be powerful tools of social change.

National museums in Wales remain free to enter. This is really important, ensuring that all can engage with our shared heritage. Pre pandemic, 1.8 million visits were made annually under this scheme. Today's announcement from the Deputy Minister for culture shows Welsh Government's continued commitment to invest in our museums. I welcome the pledges in the programme for government to support museums and also to ensure that other stories, such as the experiences of BAME people in Wales, are told.

To close, I want to mention Cynon Valley Museum. This is a real gem, well worth a visit at its site in front of the remains of the historic Gadlys ironwork furnaces. Thanks to the staff and volunteers at the museum for their work, not just on International Museum Day, but all year round.