Mauritania’s Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, and Government Spokesperson, El Houssein Ould Meddou, took part 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).
He was accompanied by the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Mauritania to UNESCO, Ms Moulaty Mint El Mokhtar.
Addressing the session, the Minister underscored that the 2005 Convention must go beyond affirming cultural diversity in principle and instead translate it into practical public policies, effective cooperation mechanisms, and collective action to address global imbalances that constrain creativity and weaken cultures.
He noted that the meeting comes at a pivotal moment defined by two pressing realities: the need for developing countries to gain meaningful access to the international circulation of cultural works, and the profound changes brought about by the digital environment in shaping the visibility, dissemination and value of cultural expressions.
Mr Ould Meddou emphasised that Mauritania is engaging these shifts with a sense of responsibility, grounded in the belief that diversity must be accessible, visible and supported by coherent policy frameworks.
He further stated that this approach aligns with President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani’s programme, “My Ambition for the Nation”, which positions cultural, linguistic and artistic diversity as a strategic national asset, a pillar of social cohesion and a catalyst for sustainable development. The programme is being implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Diay.