MONDIACULT demonstrates that it is possible to build and sustain spaces for dialogue with multiple voices. Let's make culture a common language. A language that enables us to build society, find consensus and reasons for hope.
Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General
Relaunched in 2022 by Audrey Azoulay, the MONDIACULT conference has established itself as a key event for structuring a global agenda for culture. After declaring culture a "global public good" at the previous edition, the more than 160 States present this year reaffirmed their commitment to anchoring culture in development and emergency response policies.
Stronger political and diplomatic recognition
Since 2018, UNESCO has worked to put culture back at the heart of multilateral dialogue, securing its recognition in forums such as the G20, the G7, and the United Nations Pact for the Future.
This mobilization has been accompanied by a strong legal commitment from countries, with nearly 80 new ratifications of the Organization's Culture Conventions. These reflect a political will to support and strengthen international standards for the protection of heritage, cultural diversity, and the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property.
Today, this dynamic is also reflected in the growing number of joint nominations between States: 51 transboundary sites are now listed as World Heritage sites, as are 97 shared cultural practices listed as intangible heritage.
Stronger action on the ground in response to growing needs
In recent years, UNESCO has increased its presence on the field, intervening at the heart of crises and working closely with cultural actors.
In Mosul, Beirut, and Ukraine, the Organization has combined heritage restoration with the transmission of know-how, training thousands of young people in heritage professions and supporting the revival of cultural and educational activities. In Gaza and Sudan, it has mobilized innovative tools such as satellite imagery, strengthened regional cooperation and supported the protection of sites threatened by conflict or looting.
In addition to these large-scale initiatives, UNESCO has carried out more than 350 interventions in 118 countries since 2018, providing technical expertise, supporting site rehabilitation and reducing the time required to deploy its teams.
