KEY FINDINGS

• At least eight bilateral and regional free trade agreements concluded between 2015 and 2017 have introduced cultural clauses or list of commitments that promote the objectives and principles of the 2005 Convention.
• Although the negotiation of megaregional partnership agreements has left little room for the promotion of the objectives and principles of the 2005 Convention, some Parties to the TransPacific Partnership (TTP) have succeeded in introducing important cultural reservations to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions.
• While no new Protocols on Cultural Cooperation have been signed between 2015 and 2017, other free trade agreements have introduced provisions to enhance preferential treatment for the broadcasting and audiovisual sectors.
• The European Union and other regional organizations have taken decisive steps to incorporate the principles of the 2005 Convention when designing policies and strategies for the cultural and creative industries − especially the audiovisual sector − and addressing the challenges of the new digital environment.

Photo: Creative Commons, Terry Adkins, All the World's Futures, Flickr- MATTEO BITTANTI, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0, 2015, United States of America