Monaco stands for a more resilient cultural sector at UNESCO World Conference.
- M Abti
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
Could culture act as a driver in peacekeeping? The question is more relevant than ever in consideration of the serious global geopolitical crisis. Local engagement, cultural exchanges, raising awareness on cultural traditions and heritage have proven to be key elements in the case of serious conflicts. MONDIACULT, the largest international conference on cultural policies by UNESCO, tackled this issue from the 29th September to the 1st October 2025 in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). This unique summit, hosted by the Spanish Government in collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya, gathered 160 Countries to define a global agenda for Culture, considered as a global public good in close contact with Sustainable Development.
The Principality of Monaco took an active part in the debate, represented by H.E. Anne-Marie Boisbouvier, Ambassador, Delegate permanent representative of the Principality of Monaco to UNESCO, and Sèverine Dusaintpere, Deputy Permanent Delegate.
Culture for Peace and Culture and Artificial Intelligence, and further topics (note: six main axes), have been at the centre of the high-level discussions in view of including Culture as a pivotal target in the post-Agenda 2030 vision.
The Barcelona's edition followed up the previous MONDIACULT 2022 held in Mexico City (Mexico), two years ago, set the foundation and steps for strengthening cultural policies and international cultural cooperation worldwide.
A final declaration was adopted by the ministers and their representatives at the end of this Conference, reaffirming their commitment to put culture in the spotlight towards a sustained growth capable of responding effectively to emergencies.
The publication of the first UNESCO's global report on cultural policies, was presented within a targeted panel entitled: "Culture: the Missing SDG".
This report is meant to provide a global state of culture, covering regions and cultural sectors, globally. The Principality is being contributing through the national reports it regularly presents to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as member state.
In this context, the fist Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Property was officially presented as a world premiere. This dematerialised digital space collects the list of stolen artifacts while depicting their history with the aim at becoming a global reference platform to fight against any illicit trafficking, thus contributing to preserve the common heritage with the support of high technology.
MONDIALCULT keeps contribuiting to strengthen a multilateralism approach to highlight the crucial role played by Culture within the international agenda, in the footsteps of the United Nations Pact for the Future, a comprehensive agreement adopted by world leaders at the 2024 Summit of the Future to innovate global governance, enhance international cooperation, and ensure a more peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive environment for current and future generations. Its action plan is made of concrete project which develop through various key axes, notably: Sustainable Development & Financing, International Peace & Security, Science, Technology, Innovation & Digital Cooperation; Youth & Future Generations and Transforming Global Governance.
A constantly evolving cultural transition which is already looking forward toward the next meeting that will take place in four years, in 2029, in Saudi Arabia. ***
✒️ Maurice Abbati
Strategic Communication Specialist, Editor in Chief, Journalist, Executive.
Lecturer and Author in English in the field of Environmental Communication to foster Circular and Blue Economy.
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