Last week, the International Authors Forum participated in a series of events at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, also marking the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. IAF took an active role in high-level discussions focused on the evolving challenges and opportunities in the cultural and creative sectors, with a strong emphasis on the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the creative industry.
As part of the group of volunteers group behind the 5th Civil Society Forum, IAF supported the organisation and facilitation of the Forum, where key topics such as cultural rights, the protection of creators’ rights, AI and the integration of the 2005 Convention into broader global agendas were addressed. IAF called for urgent, cross-sectoral action on generative AI and stressed the need for stronger collaboration across UNESCO and with UN agencies like WIPO.
During the 10th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP), IAF made interventions advocating for the protection of creators’ rights and cultural diversity in the digital environment. IAF welcomed the action plan for the implementation of the Group of Reflection’s recommendations and strongly supported the proposal for a legally binding additional Protocol to the Convention addressing AI and digital transformation. Recognising the length of the adoption process, IAF further recommended the introduction of short-term measures to address urgent challenges.
The discussion regarding the protection and promotion of cultural diversity in the digital environment appears to have made progress. Member States have agreed to initiate a revision of the Operational Guidelines on the implementation of the Convention in the digital environment. Simultaneously, the Secretariat will continue its analysis of the technical and legal feasibility of an additional protocol based on a multistakeholder approach and aligned with existing UNESCO frameworks. A preliminary study will be discussed at the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee.
As the 2005 Convention marks its 20th anniversary, IAF reaffirms its commitment to working within the UNESCO forum to protect authors’ rights and cultural diversity from the challenges that AI and the digital environment pose to the creative and cultural sectors.
