The World Summit on Arts and Culture, organised by the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), is a global forum where cultural organisations, policymakers and artists come together to shape the cultural policy of the future. This year's summit took place in Seoul and gathered 300 delegates from 50 cultural councils and organizations.

The Programme for Artistic Freedom, which is run by the Swedish Arts Council with support from Sida, actively participated and linked to issues raised at the previous summit in Stockholm in 2023. In meetings with partner organizations such as Ettijahat (MENA region), ArtsEquator (Southeast Asia) and Article19 (South America), discussions were held on cultural rights, donor responsibility, the need for trans-regional exchange of experience and joint strategies to protect artistic freedom. These exchanges strengthened the Programme's role as an important bridge between civil society, cultural institutions and international actors.

The conference touched on several future issues that affect the artistic landscape globally, including artificial intelligence and its consequences for copyright, cultural expressions and ethical principles. Cultural rights and minorities' access to artistic space were discussed in relation to an increasingly polarized world. The climate issue was also raised, both in terms of the cultural sector's role in the green transition, and the need to support artists in environmentally and politically vulnerable areas, such as the Amazon.

A particularly important meeting was held with the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, Alexandra Xanthaki. During the discussion, the importance of artistic freedom and cultural rights being seen as part of the broader work for human rights was underlined. The dialogue confirmed the need for close collaboration between UN agencies, national institutions and independent actors in the field of arts and culture.

As a follow-up, the programme is now intensifying dialogue with Nordic and international partners, and preparing a global donor dialogue on how artistic freedom can be supported more effectively in a time of democratic withdrawal and increasing threats to freedom of expression. The focus is particularly on building sustainable collaborations, strengthening international solidarity and securing long-term support for artists in repressive or conflict-affected contexts.

https://www.kulturradet.se/nyheter/2025/Kulturradet-lyfter-konstnarlig-frihet-pa-World-Summit/