Countries mark 10th anniversary of UNESCO Convention on Diversity of Cultural Expressions

Parties to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Convention during their biannual Conference, which will take place at UNESCO in Paris from 10 to 12 June. The anniversary will be an occasion to take stock and plan ways to build on the achievements of the 2005 Convention in its first decade.

During their Conference, the Parties will examine reports on the implementation and impact of preferential treatment for developing countries. They will assess the way the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) has been used to support projects in developing countries and examine proposals to revise the Operational Guidelines of the Convention regarding reporting and monitoring mechanisms.

Parties will consider digital issues and how they impact the diversity of cultural expressions, affecting the cultural and creative industries, as they determine their priorities in implementing the Convention in the years ahead.

Finally, the Conference of Parties will elect 12 new members to the Intergovernmental Committee, whose total membership of 24 Parties will work to implement the priorities and activities determined by the Conference of Parties.

This youngest and fastest growing UNESCO cultural convention has ushered in a new international framework for the governance and management of culture and has been ratified by 138 States and the European Union to date. It ensures that artists, cultural professionals, practitioners and citizens worldwide can create, produce, disseminate and enjoy a broad range of cultural goods, services and activities.

With this international legal instrument, Parties aim to gain recognition for the specific nature and value of cultural goods, services and activities. It promotes policies that support creativity and recognize the important economic and cultural value of these goods and services, which cannot be regarded exclusively as objects of trade.
 unesco.org
9/6/15