Oman Affirms Commitment to Supporting Cultural Diversity at UNESCO Meetings in Paris

Paris: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Education (the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, participated today in the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. According to Oman News Agency, the meetings are being organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and are being held from 17-20 February at the organization's headquarters in the French capital, Paris. The session involves the participation of States Parties to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions who are not members of the Intergovernmental Committee. Oman's participation underscores its commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at safeguarding cultural diversity, promoting cultural and creative industries, empowering artists and creators, and developing national cultural policies that keep pace with rapid shifts in the digital environment. The session addressed several key topics, most notably the implementation of the Convention within the digital environment and a review of relevant operational guidelines. Discussions also explored potential legal options to enhance the protection of cultural content in digital spaces. Additionally, the Committee reviewed the Secretariat's report on the implementation of its 2025 decisions and its work plan for the 2026-2027 period, alongside the outcomes of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention's adoption. The meetings further included discussions on the implementation report of Article 16 regarding preferential treatment for developing countries, an evaluation of the International Fund for Cultural Diversity's performance, and the approval of new projects under the 16th cycle of funding requests, which contribute to supporting cultural initiatives in developing nations. Participants emphasized the importance o f integrating international efforts to strengthen the presence of national cultures in the digital environment and the necessity of providing flexible legislative frameworks that protect cultural diversity and ensure equitable access to digital markets and platforms.