Excellencies, colleagues, friends of culture,

Thank you to UNESCO and Spain for convening this important conference in turbulent times. And thank you all for your insightful interventions. 

Culture is the foundation of free, democratic, and sustainable societies. When culture is silenced, democracy suffers—and we lose our ability to live free lives, to question, to imagine, and to hope.

Norway reaffirms its strong commitment to cultural rights and to UNESCO’s cultural agenda based on human rights. Artistic freedom and cultural rights for all must guide our policies and international cooperation, something Norway emphasized in our comments to the Mondiacult closing document.

But these values are under threat. Around the world, artists and journalists are censored, harassed—even killed. We are losing tolerance for difference and respect for human rights. When diverse voices are silenced, it becomes dangerous to speak freely. We need stronger commitments, better safeguards, and recognition of artists as human rights defenders.

In Norway, artistic freedom is protected by law. The arm’s length principle ensures autonomy, and our Constitution demands open public discourse and cultural infrastructure. We are also developing new strategies to counter disinformation and strengthen freedom of expression. We must ensure freedom, fair pay, and safety for those who create—through policy, funding, and legal protections.

Cultural rights must include everyone. Diversity and inclusion are essential to a vibrant and democratic cultural life. We must actively remove barriers to participation and ensure that underrepresented groups—including Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals—can create, express, and be heard. A truly free cultural life is one where all voices matter.

And tangible and intangible cultural heritage must be protected—especially in times of crisis. A Nordic side event tomorrow will explore this further tomorrow. 

Finally, governments cannot do this alone. Norway recently gathered 50 civil society actors to advise on MONDIACULT. Their message was clear: act now to protect cultural rights and recognize artists as human rights defenders. 

We are also happy to include a youth delegate in our delegation this year.

Let us leave Barcelona with one shared commitment: to guarantee cultural rights for all, to protect the freedom of expression, and to ensure that those who make culture can live by their work.

You can count on Norway to be a steadfast advocate for cultural rights, artistic freedom, and inclusive cultural policies, now and in the future.

Thank you.