Indonesia successfully initiates creative economy resolution at UN

The resolution proposed by Indonesia was supported by 59 other countries as co-sponsors, coming from various regions and different levels of development.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia successfully initiated the adoption of the resolution entitled ‘Promoting Creative Economy for Sustainable Development’ by consensus at the 78th UN General Assembly Session in New York (Dec. 19).

The resolution is the first UN substance resolution that specifically addresses the creative economy, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a written statement as quoted by Indonesia Window on Thursday.

The resolution proposed by Indonesia was supported by 59 other countries as co-sponsors, coming from various regions and different levels of development.

The composition of the co-sponsors was appreciated by many parties, as it reflects diverse representation in the midst of uncertain global political escalation.

Efforts to raise support for the resolution have been intensive since the beginning of 2023, through close cooperation between the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

In July 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy organized a briefing on the importance of the creative economy sector to ambassadors of friendly countries in Jakarta.

Then, the Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy gave a briefing to diplomats of various countries in New York on 6th September 2023.

The negotiation process of the Resolution text itself was led by Indonesia for six weeks in October and November 2023 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The negotiations agreed on a final text consisting of 38 paragraphs.

The resolution encourages UN member states and various related parties to provide greater support to the development of the creative economy sector, including through (i) strengthening data, (ii) improving research, talent development, education and training, (iii) increasing access to finance, health and social protection, (iv) utilising intellectual property, and (v) utilising digital technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), responsibly.

In addition, the resolution mandates the UN to regularly discuss creative economy issues, increase capacity building support, facilitate discussions, conduct research, compile guidelines and publications on a regular basis.

For Indonesia, the resolution continues the country’s leadership role in mainstreaming international cooperation on creative economy, which has been realized through the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) initiative since 2018.

Moreover, the resolution will also be used by Indonesia to realize more capacity building cooperation that will be of real benefit to creative economy actors and various national stakeholders.

Reporting by Indonesia Window