Niger presents its first periodic report of the UNESCO 2005 Convention

The restitution workshop of the first periodical report of Niger was held on Thursday 19 April at the Cultural Center Oumarou Ganda of Niamey in the presence of the Assoumana Mallam Issa, Minister of Cultural Renaissance. The event provided an opportunity for all stakeholders involved to reflect on the ambitious work done in recent months.

Niger’s first quadrennial periodic report (QPR) on the implementation of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity cultural expressions comes in the aftermath of a process that began in August 2017. During this period, civil society actors and government officials within the national team actively participated in the drafting of the report, strengthening the policy dialogue amongst different stakeholders.

The national team in charge of elaborating the QPR was also supported by Valeria Marcolin and Francisco D'Almeida, members of the 2005 Convention Expert Facility, who previously provided assistance in the preparation of the periodic reports of Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire. In addition, the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO played an important role relaying and facilitating the periodic reporting process.

Culture at the heart of Niger’s agenda

The measures and policies contained in this first report are indicative of Niger's proactive commitment to implement the 2005 Convention. The results of the actions undertaken by the government highlight a real technical and financial commitment to support artists and cultural industries with the creation of dedicated agencies, the development of a status of the artist law and regulations on copyright. Inter-ministerial cooperation frameworks are also beginning to be developed.

Particular importance has been attached to ensuring wider access to culture, as Francisco D'Almeida points out: "Arts and cultural education at the regional level has also been key objective of ministerial and government action in order to promote the cultural participation of the greatest number, in particular through the establishment of a national network of socio-cultural infrastructures in the regions."

However, while the commitment to promote and reinforce the contemporary creative strength of the country is clearly attested, many challenges remain, namely with regards to the international circulation of cultural products and the better inclusion of culture in other policy areas such digital technologies and gender.

Paving the way 

This first report will serve as a basis for all stakeholders to jointly plan future policy action for the next four years. As noted by Tahirou Ganda, focal point of the national team of the QPR, “The periodic reporting process, has allowed us to discover how the objectives of the Ministry of Cultural Renaissance fits in harmony with the goals of the 2005 Convention. Indeed, both focus on priority areas leading to sustainable development."

Niger ratified the 2005 Convention in 2007. The QPR of Niger will soon be published on the 2005 Convention Policy Monitoring Platform.