Mauritania Reaffirms Commitment to Enhancing Diversity of Cultural Expressions

His Excellency the Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, Government Spokesperson, Mr. El Houssein Ould Meddou, accompanied by Her Excellency the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Mauritania to UNESCO, Ms. Moulaty Mint El Mokhtar, participated in the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005 Convention), held in Paris from February 17 to 20, 2026.

In his address to participants, the Minister stressed that the strength of the 2005 Convention lies not only in proclaiming the principle of diversity, but in its ability to make this diversity tangible through public policies, cooperation mechanisms, and collective choices capable of correcting imbalances that stifle creativity and weaken cultures.

He explained that this session is being held at a time marked by two major realities: first, the need for developing countries to effectively benefit from the international circulation of cultural works; and second, the rapid transformations imposed by the digital environment on the visibility, dissemination, and value of cultural expressions.

He added that Mauritania is approaching these transformations responsibly, based on a clear conviction that diversity is only genuine when it is accessible, discoverable, and supported by well-designed policies.

He further noted that this vision falls within the program of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, “My Ambition for the Nation,” which regards cultural, linguistic, and artistic diversity as a strategic asset, a source of social cohesion, and a driver of development. The government is implementing this program under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Mr. Mokhtar Ould Diay.