On 29 September 2025, the Minister of Culture, Government of India, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, participated in the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2025) in Barcelona, Spain. The Minister highlighted culture as a global public good and driver of sustainable development, and served as the Chair for the Asia-Pacific Group during the Plenary Session. He attended the opening ceremony and delivered an intervention at the Thematic Session on Cultural Rights and Economy of Culture. On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Spain, Iran, Norway, Colombia, and Greece to enhance cooperation in heritage conservation, creative industries, museums, and the performing arts. This participation reaffirmed India's commitment to global cultural dialogue and advancing culture as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive development. The release was posted on 30 September 2025 at 4:35 PM by PIB Delhi.
Contact: Sunil Kumar Tiwari, pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com. Release ID: 2173159.
Key Entities Referenced
MONDIACULT 2025: World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development convened by UNESCO.
Ministry of Culture: Indian ministry responsible for cultural policies and participation in events like MONDIACULT 2025.
UNESCO: Organization convening the MONDIACULT 2025 conference.
Barcelona: Location where MONDIACULT 2025 was held.
Ministry of Culture
Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Highlights Culture as a Global Public Good and
Driver of Sustainable Development
India Chairs Asia-Pacific Group at MONDIACULT
2025 in Barcelona
Posted On: 30 SEP 2025 4:35PM by PIB Delhi
The Minister of Culture, Government of India, participated in the World Conference on Cultural Policies and
Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2025), held in Barcelona, Spain, on 29 September 2025. The
event, convened by UNESCO, brought together Ministers and cultural leaders from across the world to shape
the future of global cultural policy.
During the Plenary Session, which included the adoption of the Rules of Procedure and Agenda along with
the election of key office bearers, the Minister of Culture of India had the distinction of serving as the Chair
for the Asia-Pacific Group. This reflected India’s growing leadership in advancing cultural cooperation within
the region.Key Engagements at the Conference
Opening Ceremony: The Minister attended the ceremony marked by vibrant cultural performances
(cid:108)
and keynote remarks by the Director-General of UNESCO and the President of the Government of
Spain.
Ministerial Plenary Session: The discussions focused on culture as a global public good and an
(cid:108)
enabler of sustainable development.
Thematic Session on Cultural Rights and Economy of Culture: The Minister delivered an
(cid:108)
intervention underscoring India’s commitment to cultural rights and strengthening the creative
economy as a driver of inclusive and equitable growth.
Bilateral Engagements
On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Spain, Iran,Norway, Colombia, and Greece. These discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in heritage
conservation, creative industries, museums, and the performing arts.
India’s Commitment
India’s participation at MONDIACULT 2025 reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to global cultural
dialogue and to advancing culture as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive development.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2173159)