The Organization of American States (OAS) concluded the Tenth Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities , held virtually on November 13–14, 2025, with the adoption of the Declaration and Plan of Action of Washington, D.C., a landmark framework to strengthen cooperation in culture and the creative economy across the Americas.
Convened under the theme "Promoting Culture and the Creative Economy for Prosperity in the Americas," the meeting brought together Ministers and senior officials from twenty-five OAS member states along with representatives from national entities and regional and international organizations including UNESCO, the Latin American Institute (LAI), the Córdoba Culture Institute and the Inter-American Center for Crafts and Popular Art (CIDAP).
In his opening remarks at the meeting, the Secretary General of the OAS, Albert R. Ramdin, highlighted the essential role of culture in shaping identity and driving growth throughout the region, saying "Culture is who we are and what shapes our identity. It is also a powerful driver of inclusive growth, employment, and innovation across the Americas. I invite ministers to advance the creative economy as a driver of prosperity—by formalizing the cultural sector, protecting heritage, improving data, and expanding cultural diplomacy. Culture builds trust and connects our hemisphere. Our diversity is our strength—and the foundation for a more united, prosperous, and dynamic Americas."
For her part, the Minister of Education, Sport and Culture of Ecuador, which holds the rotating Chair of the Inter-American Committee on Culture (CIC), Alegría Crespo, emphasized the spirit of collaboration that defined the meeting: "From our exchanges emerged the Declaration and Plan of Action of Washington, D.C., a reflection of our collective will and the strength of cultural diplomacy—walking together, respecting our differences, and building consensus to elevate our nations. Culture is not only meaning for life; it moves life itself. It generates employment, promotes inclusion, and strengthens our communities. The prosperity of the Americas is built from the creativity of its people and the cooperation of its nations."
The Executive Secretary for Integral Development of the OAS, Kim Osborne, underscored that cultural cooperation is central to advancing inclusive, sustainable development: "Advancing the creative economy requires coordinated action across governments, institutions, and communities—anchored in our democratic values and guided by our commitment to leave no one behind. Culture and innovation are inseparable pillars of integral development in the Americas.
At the conclusion of the meeting, member states adopted the Declaration of Washington, a pivotal roadmap aimed at leveraging the cultural sector as a primary engine for growth, sustainable development, and prosperity in the hemisphere.
The Declaration of Washington includes commitments to:
• Support culture and creativity as contributors to the development of resilient economies
• Strengthen the collection and availability of cultural data
• Promote formalization in the culture sector including by integrating cultural workers into official labor and economic systems
• Adopt robust mechanisms for the protection and management of copyright and intellectual property; and
• Uphold and enforce laws to safeguard cultural heritage and encourage institutional and cooperation to mitigate the risk o to looting and illicit trafficking of cultural property in the region
Member states also elected Panama as Chair of the Inter American Committee on Culture (CIC) for the 2025-2028 period and the delegation of The Bahamas to vice-Chair a working group on: "Empowering the Culture Sector and Fostering the Creative Economy."
Panama formally offered to host the XI Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture in 2028- a proposal welcomed by the member states, in recognition of Panama's strong commitment to regional cultural integration and cooperation.
The OAS General Secretariat, through the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) looks forward to working with member states to implement the agreed-upon mandates and establish the groundwork for the XI Meeting.
The outcomes of this ministerial meeting will guide the future work of the Inter-American Committee on Culture (CIC) and inform new regional cooperation initiatives under the OAS framework. The newly adopted Declaration and Plan of Action of Washington, D.C. will serve as a roadmap to harness the power of the creative economy as a catalyst for inclusive growth, social cohesion, and sustainable prosperity across the hemisphere.
Reference: E-075/25
