The Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions met at UNESCO Headquarters from 11 to 14 February 2020.
Ms Iryna Strashnenko, the National Coordinator of the 2005 Convention and the Head of the Department for International Cooperation in the Field of Culture of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports attended the meeting.
During the session, the Committee considered and approved the work plan for 2020-2021, discussed the future directions of the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2029, the draft program and budget, as well as the activities of the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCS). The Committee approved the financing of new projects by the IFCD in the context of its 10th call for applications. It also examined the conclusions of the 2nd edition of the Civil Society Forum and potential synergies with the 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist.
Several important side events took place during this session: on February 11 - the meeting of the national coordinators and meetings of NGO observers with members of the Bureau of the Committee; on February 12 - two "Create | 2030 Talks" were organized to highlight the links between the Committee's work and the Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; on February 13 - there was presented a new form of submission of the four-year report of the implementation of the 2005 Convention as well as 2019 Cultural Diversity Award winners for Asia Pacific countries.