In current geopolitical situation, it is important to draw attention of world to preservation of cultural heritage - Lace

RIGA - In the current geopolitical conditions it is important to draw the attention of the world countries to the issue of preserving cultural heritage and ensuring cultural continuity in times of crisis, Latvian Culture Minister Agnese Lace (Progressives) stressed.

According to the minister's advisor Rita Plume, one of the regional consultations of the UNESCO World Cultural Policy Forum Mondiacult was chaired by Lace on Thursday.

"Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of culture and cultural heritage in safeguarding the state and national identity. Cultural heritage is a cornerstone of social resilience, cohesion and democracy," said the Latvian culture minister.

During the consultation, member states stressed the importance of culture as a human right, the impact of digital transformation on the development of the sector, the importance of creativity and the need to protect it in the age of artificial intelligence, the synergy between culture and education at all levels, the contribution of culture to the economy, as well as to reducing inequalities and the impact of climate change.

It also focused on culture as a resilience-building factor in situations of conflict and crisis. Member states agreed on the need to make culture a separate Sustainable Development Goal beyond 2030.

Mondiacult, hosted by UNESCO, is the only global forum for discussing and shaping global cultural policies that affect all countries and cultural sectors. The next Mondiacult will take place in Barcelona, Spain, in 2025, when UNESCO will present the Global Report on the State of Culture.

UNESCO is an international organization of 195 countries committed to education, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, culture, communication and information. Latvia joined UNESCO in 1991.