In September 2025, UNESCO will host the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2025. This is the top international event for policymakers and other stakeholders to come together to set the global agenda for culture.

Have a look back at how IFLA brought the voices of the library profession to the last edition of this conference in 2022: MONDIACULT 2022 Summary.

Culture as a Standalone Goal

This year, the number one topic on the agenda is paving the way towards the recognition of culture as a standalone goal in the post-2030 Agenda.

This is very close to IFLA’s heart. As members of the Culture 2030 Goal Campaign, we have long been a central voice in advocating for the need to recognise culture in sustainable development.

Want to know more?

Take a look at the Campaign’s proposed Zero-Draft for a Culture Goal, launched at MONDIACULT 2022.

Regional Consultations

Between November 2024 – February 2025, UNESCO is holding a series of Regional Consultations to inform the development of the agenda. While IFLA has shared input centrally, we felt this was a critical moment to platform library voices from the regions.

We were able to facilitate the participation of regional partners in several of the consultations. IFLA’s Advisory Committee on Cultural Heritage and Network of Preservation and Conservation Centres were invited to participate in the consultations, and Regional Division Committee are being involved in identifying potential participants.

Latin America and the Caribbean States

Director of the IFLA Preservation and Conservation Centre at the National Library of Chile, Roberto Aguirre Bello, participated. His intervention included:

  • Emphasising that libraries are essential infrastructure for the interaction between culture, knowledge, and citizens – a pre-requisite for sustainable development
  • Acknowledging that the LAC region is vulnerable to human-caused and natural disasters, and that libraries must be involved both in safeguarding and finding solutions. He pointed out the upcoming COP30, to be hosted in Brazil, as a moment to highlight culture’s role in climate action.
  • Noting that IFLA convened over 40 librarians from 20 different countries across LAC in a workshop in November 2024, which included meeting with CEPAL and UNESCO Santiago, demonstrating our sector’s willingness to be involved in partnerships.

Eastern European States

Dagnija Baltiņa, Director of the National Library of Latvia took the floor. Among her points, she:

  • Stressed that libraries are becoming more frequent targets in armed conflict, and so should be involved in national and regional efforts and legislation to safeguard cultural heritage
  • Noted the unique role of libraries in providing free, accessible, and trustworthy spaces that overcome barriers faced by vulnerable groups, which help uphold human rights including cultural rights.
  • Recalled that libraries are key in preserving and promoting diverse knowledge, including heritage materials, so supporting libraries with resources to develop responsible AI systems is essential.
  • Called for policymakers to recognise the importance of books and reading for sustainability and wellbeing, and stressed that libraries support the overall development of informed and engaged citizens.

This week, the Directors of IFLA’s Preservation and Conservation Centres in Cameroon and South Africa are participating in the Regional Consultation for African States.

Looking Ahead

IFLA will integrate the feedback we receive from our Regional participants into a resource on key MONDIACULT 2025 Talking Points – watch this space!

What does this mean for you?

Firstly, share your input! What priorities should your Ministry of Culture consider in the coming years? How does the culture sector – and libraries – in your country/region help promote sustainable development?

Share your ideas with us: [email protected]

Secondly, stay tuned as IFLA keeps your informed on what this conference may mean for libraries, and how you can use our positions to power your own advocacy.

We thank all the volunteers who participated in the Regional Consultations and helped bring libraries to the table!