RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — The sixth assembly of the Ibero-American Forum of Deputy Ministers of Culture is set to convene for the first time at the Rio2C creativity forum, which is taking place this week in Rio de Janeiro. This meeting brings together high-ranking officials from 17 member countries.
Delegates from Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay will address public policy strategies for enhancing the region’s creative sector.
Established in 2024, the Ibero-American Forum of Deputy Ministers of Culture operates as a regional executive task force under the auspices of the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI). The forum’s primary aim is to foster cultural policies that bolster the creative economy in various aspects.
“This year marks the inaugural presence of the Forum at our event. It was initiated by Brazil’s Ministry of Culture, acknowledging the significance of Rio2C and the potential of hosting the Forum here,” stated Rafael Lazarini, the founder of Rio2C.
Lazarini emphasized that the Forum consists of vice ministers and executive secretaries who are the ones actively engaged in the work, contrasting with ministers who are largely political figures.
“This is not a political assembly but a sector-focused gathering. Our objective is to enhance cooperation among countries and facilitate content production,” he further explained.
Márcio Tavares, the executive secretary of Brazil’s Ministry of Culture, will lead the meeting as Brazil currently holds the Forum’s temporary presidency.
“For the first time, the Forum’s discussions are being integrated into the largest creativity event in Latin America,” Tavares conveyed to Variety.
He mentioned that during the meeting, OEI and Fundação Itaú, one of Brazil’s largest private bank foundations, will enter into a cooperation agreement. This agreement aims to develop data and indicators to assess the contribution of creative industries to sustainable development.
The forum will also deliberate on renewing the Ibero-American Cultural Charter, initially signed in 2006, with the countries expected to approve its new version in November, according to Tavares.
During the meeting, Tavares will introduce Portuguese and Spanish-language courses, available through Brazil’s Ministry of Culture’s virtual school, Escola Solano Trindade de Cultura e Economia Criativa, for all member countries of the Forum.
“This fusion of public policy dialogue and the dynamic nature of the creative market is unprecedented and crucial for us. It helps us forge connections between the public and private sectors, aiming to invigorate and solidify the cultural and creative economy production chains in the region,” Tavares remarked.
