In a significant move to harness culture for development, Tunisian officials, alongside European and UN experts, have convened in Tunis for the nation’s first workshop on UNESCO’s “Culture/2030 Indicators” project.
The three-day event, which began September 15th, aims to establish a new, simplified system for collecting cultural data. This evidence-based framework is designed to directly guide future government policy, investment, and national development strategies.
Organized by Tunisia’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Municipality of Tunis, and UNESCO with EU support, the workshop brings together a diverse group of policymakers, academics, and civil society representatives.
Officials emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative. Noomène Hamrouni of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs confirmed that culture will be central to Tunisia’s 2026–2030 development plan, driven by legal frameworks and investment in creative industries.
The project was praised by international partners. Tom Ashwanden of the EU Delegation noted culture’s potential as a “global public good,” while UNESCO’s Ernesto Ottone R. stressed that reliable data is crucial for integrating culture into sustainable development strategies.
This national effort also prepares Tunisia for the upcoming UNESCO MONDIACULT 2025 conference in Barcelona, where global cultural agendas will be set.
TunisianMonitorOnline ((Editorial Staff)
