The 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from February 17 to 20, 2026.

The International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD) was represented by Guillaume Prieur, its President and representative of the French Coalition for Cultural Diversity; Mahamadou Adamou, Vice-President for Africa and representative of the Nigerien Coalition for Cultural Diversity; as well as Christian Laforce, a regular member of the IFCCD in his capacity as Secretary of the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (Canada), and Marie-Julie Desrochers, Secretary-General of the IFCCD.

IFCCD members took part in the proceedings as civil society observers, demonstrating the network’s active engagement in international discussions relating to the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (hereinafter, the “2005 Convention”). The IFCCD’s work was notably acknowledged by several Parties during the IGC.

A major step forward toward the adoption of an additional protocol to the 2005 UNESCO Convention

The IGC led to significant developments on two strategic priorities for the IFCCD.

First, the IGC member States agreed to recommend that the Conference of Parties (COP) adopt an additional protocol to the 2005 Convention, aimed at strengthening its implementation in the digital environment. This decision paves the way for formal adoption by the COP and for the subsequent approval steps required within the United Nations system.

The IFCCD also welcomes the IGC’s decision to allow additional time to review the proposed revision of the Operational Guidelines intended to guide the implementation of the 2005 Convention in the digital ecosystem. The Federation considers it essential that this document be further developed and substantially revised in order to fully protect human creativity in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and to ensure its alignment with the objectives and principles enshrined in the 2005 Convention, including the importance of intellectual property rights and the recognition of the dual nature of cultural goods and services.

Highlights from the IFCCD Side Event at the IGC – The Interface Between Culture and the Digital Sphere in Recent International Normative Instruments

On February 18, 2025, the IFCCD, with the support of the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE), organized a side event aimed at enriching the discussions surrounding the adoption of a future protocol to the 2005 Convention.

The event opened with remarks by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, and Mr. Mathieu Lacombe, Quebec’s Minister of Culture and Communications.

The event concluded with an address by Mr. Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture since 2018. This marked his final participation in the work of the 2005 Convention, following a mandate during which he distinguished himself as a valued ally of civil society and of the IFCCD.

IFCCD Interventions During the Work of the Intergovernmental Committee

Throughout the session, the Federation distinguished itself through its active participation and substantive contributions to discussions under agenda items 4, 7a, 7b, 7c, 9a and 10.

Report of the Secretariat on its activities and the implementation of the Committee’s decisions (2025)

Under agenda item 4, the IFCCD commended the work carried out by the Secretariat of the 2005 Convention, notably in organizing the work of the IGC, the COP, and the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention. It also welcomed the continued increase in the number of Parties to the instrument, which now stands at 160, in addition to the European Union. The IFCCD encouraged Parties to strengthen their support for the Secretariat to enable it to fully achieve its objectives, and praised the work of Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, as well as the quality of his collaboration with civil society.

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Report on the implementation of adopted recommendations

Under agenda item 7a, the IFCCD reiterated its support for the recommendations of the Reflection Group on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment. It endorsed the establishment of an open and inclusive consultation framework, as well as the organization of a periodic international event aimed at strengthening collaboration and the sharing of best practices.

The IFCCD also emphasized that civil society must remain at the heart of the implementation of this action plan, so that on-the-ground realities concretely inform measures in support of the diversity of cultural expressions in the digital environment.

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Proposed revision of the Operational Guidelines on the implementation of the Convention in the digital environment

During the consideration of agenda item 7b, the IFCCD, drawing on the principles of authorization, remuneration and transparency, expressed serious reservations regarding the recognition of a “right to use AI” in the name of artistic freedom, and called for stronger protection of copyright and intellectual property within the text. It stressed the need to safeguard human creation in the face of growing asymmetries and competition from AI-generated content, and reaffirmed the importance of fully involving civil society in the ongoing revision process.

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Preliminary study on the feasibility of legal options for implementing the Convention in the digital environment

Under agenda item 7c, the IFCCD noted that it had submitted a detailed analytical report to UNESCO to help inform reflections on the implementation of the 2005 Convention in the digital environment. It reiterated its support for the adoption of an additional protocol, which it considers the most appropriate legal option to safeguard and enhance the uniqueness of human creativity, ensure the full exercise of the cultural rights of artists and cultural professionals, and protect and promote the diversity of cultural and linguistic expressions in the digital environment.

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Narrative report (2025) and projects recommended under the sixteenth call for funding applications

Under agenda item 9a, the IFCCD recalled the importance of supporting the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD), as reflected in the growing number of project applications submitted, despite the Fund’s limited and fragile resources. It called on Parties to allocate the necessary means to support the implementation of projects benefiting cultural and creative industries in the Global South. The IFCCD further emphasized that the IFCD can become a true driver of impact, trust and international cultural cooperation, in support of the objectives of the 2005 Convention.

As the IFCCD was unable to take the floor under agenda item 8, it also used this opportunity to underline the crucial importance of Article 16 in promoting more diverse, balanced and sustainable cultural exchanges between the Global North and the Global South, and called for strengthened capacity-building and awareness-raising efforts.

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Outcomes of the celebrations marking the twentieth anniversary of the Convention (2025)

Under agenda item 10, the IFCCD provided an overview of the initiatives carried out by the Federation and its member coalitions to mark the twentieth anniversary of the 2005 Convention. It reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to actively contribute to discussions and initiatives highlighting the significance and impact of this international treaty. The IFCCD also underscored that civil society plays a driving role in translating normative commitments into concrete responses to the lived realities of creators and cultural professionals.

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Following this IGC, the IFCCD will continue its engagement in view of the revision of the Operational Guidelines this fall, will closely monitor the development of an international event, and will actively prepare for a particularly strategic year in 2027 at UNESCO — marked by the IGC, the COP and Mondiacult 2027 — in order to contribute to strengthening the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions.

    OVERVIEW OF THE FEDERATION’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 19TH SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE

    Article
    Statutory Meetings of the 2005 Convention
    IFCCD
    26 February 2026
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