N.B. - This is an advance copy of the text of the Convention, which has not gone through the standard editing and language reconciliation procedure. The only authoritative text of the Convention will be the one authenticated by the signatures of the President of the General Conference and of the Director-General, of which a certified copy will be transmitted to all Member States and will be made public on UNESCO's website as soon as possible.

CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE DIVERSITY OF CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS

PREAMBLE

The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, meeting in Paris from 3 to 21 October 2005 at its 33 session,

1. Affirming that cultural diversity is a defining characteristic of humanity,

2. Conscious that cultural diversity forms a common heritage of humanity and should be cherished and preserved for the benefit of all,

3. Being aware that cultural diversity creates a rich and varied world, which increases the range of choices and nurtures human capacities and values, and therefore is a mainspring for sustainable development for communities, peoples and nations,