From its adoption in October 2005 until the submission of the first periodic reports in 2012 and 2013, the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions has achieved many milestones at both the international and national levels. Now ratified by 140 Parties, the 2005 Convention provides a framework to forge new pathways that encourage creativity and innovation in the pursuit of inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth and development.

The year 2015 offers opportunities to not only celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Convention but also to create new momentum towards its full implementation as a roadmap for development. Through the circular letter sent to Parties to the Convention, all stakeholders involved in the promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions were invited to share the events and activities they organize to celebrate this anniversary. If you organize an event or activity, please fill out the 10th anniversary online form to see your events featured on this web page and request the Convention emblem.

1995

UNESCO Report
"Our Creative Diversity"

Report by World Commission on Culture and Development highlights diversity as source of creativity and the role of culture in human development.

1998

Intergovernmental Conference on
Cultural Policies for Development

Conference adopts “Stockholm Action Plan” which calls upon governments to make cultural policies one of the key components of development strategies.

2001

UNESCO Universal Declaration
on Cultural Diversity

Universal Declaration is unanimously adopted during UNESCO’s 31st General Conference. The Declaration recognizes cultural diversity as “a source of exchange, innovation and creativity” and “the common heritage of humanity"

2005

The Convention
is born

Convention is adopted on 20 October 2005 during UNESCO’s 33rd General Conference. It is the first international instrument to recognize the distinct nature of cultural good and services, having both an economic and cultural dimension, and reaffirms the sovereign right of States to adopt measures to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions.

2007

Entry into force of
the 2005 Convention

On 18 March 2007, the Convention enters into force and three months later, the 56 Member States that ratified it meet in Paris for the first Conference of the Parties to begin work on implementing the Convention.

2009

Adoption of
Operational guidelines

A series of first operational guidelines are approved by the Conference of Parties at its second session (15–16 June 2009)

2013

Capacity-Building
Strategy

Intergovernmental Committee adopts at its seventh session (December 2013) the first Report of the Secretariat on the design and future implementation of a global capacity-building strategy for the implementation of the Convention

the Creative
Economy Report

UNESCO and UNDP publish first World Report on the creative economy at the local level in developing countries.

2015

UNESCO manual on
Culture for Development Indicators

UNESCO publishes first methodological manual providing detailed technical guidance for data collection and the construction of the Culture for development indicators (CDIS)

Expansion of
Expert Facility

UNESCO Expert Facility to support capacity development initiatives for the implementation of the Convention is renewed and expanded.

Global
Monitoring Report

With the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), UNESCO publishes in December the first Global Monitoring Report on the implementation of the Convention

Adoption of
Operational guidelines

A series of first operational guidelines are approved by the Conference of Parties at its second session (15–16 June 2009)

2010

Launch of the
International Fund for Cultural Diversity

First call for funding requests for the IFCD is launched to support the emergence of dynamic cultural sectors in developing countries

2011

Report on impact
of Article 21

Intergovernmental Committee adopts at its fifth session a first report on Article 21 to analyse impact of promotion of objectives and principles of the Convention.

Expert Facility

With funding from the European Union, UNESCO establishes first international Expert Facility to support technical assistance missions in developing countries for the strengthening of systems of governance for culture

2012

Quadrennial
Periodic Reports

UNESCO compiles first quadrennial periodic reports, submitted every four years by Parties on measures taken to implement the Convention

Many events are held to celebrate the Anniversary

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"Investing in culture can transform societies. Creativity can change the world. This is our ultimate renewable energy."
Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO

Tributes & Messages