Italy assumed the presidency of the Group of Friends of Culture on September 1. The Group brings together numerous UN Member States with the aim of strengthening the role of culture on the United Nations agenda, recognizing it as a fundamental element in fostering peaceful societies, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing cultural industries and diversity.
“New York also confirms Italy’s leading role in multilateral cultural policies, rooted in its immense historical, artistic, and natural heritage, which is a source of great national and international pride and, at the same time, a fundamental resource for the country’s economy and identity,” said Italy’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Giorgio Marrapodi.
Italy’s assumption of the presidency, jointly with Mexico, was formalized during a high-level meeting of ambassadors of the member countries dedicated to the nexus between culture and artificial intelligence, attended by UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Nayef Al-Fayez.
On the occasion, Ambassador Marrapodi outlined the Italian Government’s human-centered approach to artificial intelligence, highlighting through concrete examples – such as the Carabinieri’s S.W.O.A.D.S. system and Ca’ Foscari University’s RePAIR Project, how artificial intelligence can have highly practical applications in the protection, documentation, conservation, and recovery of cultural heritage, as well as in combating illicit trafficking.
Italy also played a key role in the adoption, today, September 4, of the resolution establishing the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development (2027–2036), promoted jointly with Vietnam and other States. The initiative builds on Italy’s longstanding commitment to culture and sustainable development policies, which was reflected in the two Naples Conferences on UNESCO Heritage, held in 2023 and 2025, respectively.
