On 20 October 2005, the 33rd. UNESCO General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, to complement the normative action of conventions in favor of cultural diversity.

The result of a comprehensive and complex process and of two years of intense negotiations and countless meetings between government and independent experts, the text became an international legal instrument and, together with the 1972 Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, is one of the three pillars for the conservation and promotion of the diversity of creativity. All together, these instruments reinforce the core of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001), namely that cultural diversity should be considered "common heritage of humanity" and that its "defense is an ethic imperative that cannot be separated from the respect and the dignity of persons."

The main objectives of the 2005 Convention are to acknowledge the right of the States to draft cultural policies and to adopt measures in favor of the diversity of cultural expressions; to acknowledge the specific nature of cultural services and goods as they are the bearers of identity; and acknowledge the relationship between culture and development and the importance of international cooperation.

MEMBER STATES THAT HAVE RATIFIED THE CONVENTION

Main normative instruments in favor of cultural diversity:

Several UNESCO normative instruments (conventions, declarations, or recommendations) favor cultural diversity either directly or indirectly. Among them, in particular:

In multicultural societies such as those of Latin America and the Caribbean, it is indispensable to ensure a harmonious interaction and the will to live together and coexist between peoples and groups of cultural, plural, diverse and dynamic entities in the respect of human rights.

Therefore, the multiple actions implemented to achieve these purposes and to materialize the objectives of the Declaration, the Convention and all the normative instruments on this issue:

- Cultural Diversity was one of the central issues discussed in the XIV Forum of Ministers of Culture and Officials in Charge of Cultural Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, on 28 and 29 September 2005. Member States attending the Forum expressed their will to support the then Draft Convention, that was discussed during the 33rd UNESCO General Assembly.

Numerous actions have been implemented during 2006 in the region on the occasion of the World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development,, on 21 May, among them, a comprehensive programme developed by UNESCO Regional Office for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean..

ACTIONS IMPLEMENTED BY MEMBER STATES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN FOR THE PROTECTION ADN PROMOTION OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY