Philippines Officially Deposits Instrument of Ratification of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005 Convention)  

Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Junever M. Mahilum-West, hands over the instrument  of ratification of the 2005 Convention to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay (middle) and Assistant Director General for Culture Ernesto Ottone (right) at UNESCO Headquarters (photo courtesy of ©Christelle ALIX)

PARIS 05 June 2024 – Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Junever M. Mahilum-West officially deposited the instrument of ratification of the Convention  on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005 Convention)  at the UNESCO Headquarters on 31 May 2024.

The 2005 Convention is an international treaty that provides a policy framework for the  governance of culture. It recognizes the distinctive nature of culture as an important  contributor to economic and social development and ensures that artists, creative professionals, practitioners and citizens worldwide can create, produce, disseminate and  enjoy a broad range of creative goods, services and activities, including their own. 

Ratification of the 2005 Convention marks a significant step for the Philippines in promoting  cultural diversity, supporting creative industries, and fostering international cultural  cooperation.  END

With this ratification, the Philippines gains potential advantages, i.e. 1) the Philippine  Government can adopt policies that support cultural diversity and benefit from UNESCO’s  capacity development and technical assistance programs; 2) Artists and Cultural  Professionals gain greater mobility and market access while working in environments  respecting artistic freedom and economic rights; 3) Private Sector can benefit from increased  market access to countries; and 4) Civil Society can engage in policy discussions, and submit  funding requests to the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD). 

Some recent developments in pursuance of the 2005 Convention include: 1) Adoption of  Operational Guidelines promoting cultural diversity in the digital environment; and 2)  Publication of a global report on artists’ living and working conditions. 

The 2005 Convention was adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at its 33rd session  on 20 October 2005 and entered into force on 18 March 2007. Pursuant to Article 29 of the Convention, it shall enter into force with respect to any other  Party three months after the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval  or accession.  

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