Oman
Affirms Commitment to Supporting Cultural Diversity at UNESCO Meetings in Paris

Paris,
17 Feb 2026 (ONA) —- The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of
Education (the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science)
and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, participated today in the 19th
session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of
the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Organized
by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), the meetings are being held from 17-20 February at the organization’s
headquarters in the French capital, Paris.

The
session involves the participation of States Parties to the Convention on the
Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions who are not
members of the Intergovernmental Committee. Oman’s participation underscores
its commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at safeguarding
cultural diversity, promoting cultural and creative industries, empowering
artists and creators, and developing national cultural policies that keep pace
with rapid shifts in the digital environment.

The
session addressed several key topics, most notably the implementation of the
Convention within the digital environment and a review of relevant operational
guidelines. Discussions also explored potential legal options to enhance the
protection of cultural content in digital spaces. Additionally, the Committee
reviewed the Secretariat’s report on the implementation of its 2025 decisions
and its work plan for the 2026–2027 period, alongside the outcomes of the
celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention’s adoption.

The
meetings further included discussions on the implementation report of Article
16 regarding preferential treatment for developing countries, an evaluation of
the International Fund for Cultural Diversity’s performance, and the approval
of new projects under the 16th cycle of funding requests, which contribute to
supporting cultural initiatives in developing nations.

Participants
emphasized the importance of integrating international efforts to strengthen
the presence of national cultures in the digital environment and the necessity
of providing flexible legislative frameworks that protect cultural diversity
and ensure equitable access to digital markets and platforms.

—Ends/AG