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To the Permanent Delegations of the Parties to the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions 15 April 2024 Culture Sector The Assistant Director-General Ref: CLT/DCE/24/L66 Re: Call for annual voluntary contributions to the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) Sir/ Madam, As a Party to the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, you are among the 152 countries plus the European Union to have made a commitment to the Convention’s principle of international solidarity and cooperation, which aims to empower the cultural and creative industries at the local, national, and international levels. This commitment is transformed into action, notably through voluntary contributions to the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD), which was established by the 2005 Convention to fund cultural projects in support of the creative economy and to bolster inclusive and sustainable economic growth by empowering artists and culture professionals. The IFCD funds innovative projects across the globe within the fields of cinema, performing arts, visual arts, and media arts, as well as design, music, and publishing. This critical investment in creativity is transforming societies and changing lives by defending artistic freedom, promoting gender equality and priority Africa, and empowering youth. In accordance with Decision17.IGC.6.a of the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (27 February – 1 March 2024), I invite your country to make its annual voluntary contribution to the IFCD with an amount equal to or greater than 1% of your country's contribution to UNESCO's regular budget. Please find attached information regarding the modalities of payment of your country’s contribution. A dozen innovative and transformative projects were awarded funding from the IFCD in 2024, aiming in particular to empower young female musicians in Türkiye, promote cultural entrepreneurship in the digital art sector among youth in Uruguay, and strengthen intellectual property rights in Ethiopia, as well as other transformative activities in: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Malawi, Mexico, Mongolia, Tunisia, and for the first time in Armenia and Uganda. This brings the total support from the IFCD for the cultural United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7, Place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP France T: +33 (0)1 45 68 10 55 and creative sector to US$11.5 million since 2010, through a total of 152 projects implemented in 71 developing countries. Despite the successful impact IFCD-funded projects are bringing to countries around the world, we are still only able to respond to approximately 10 percent of the requests received. This demonstrates the high need and impact of the IFCD around the globe and fuels our goal to be able to respond to more requests in 2024. Indeed, if all 153 Parties were to provide their annual contributions to the Fund, we would be able to double the number of projects funded each year. Looking forward to receiving your country’s contribution to the IFCD, please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurance of my highest consideration. Yours sincerely, Ernesto Ottone R. Cc: UNESCO National Commissions 2005 Convention National Focal Points UNESCO Field Offices Enc.: Modalities for IFCD contributions 2/2 ANNEX ESTONIA VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY (IFCD) Amount of the voluntary contribution corresponding to 1 per cent of your total contribution to UNESCO’s budget for 2024: 1,508 USD Payments are to be made only by bank transfer to one of the following bank accounts: In USD: Account holder: UNESCO Bank: Citibank, N.A. Address: 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043, USA Account n°: 36378785 SWIFT BIC: CITIUS33 ABA: 021000089 In Euros: Account holder: UNESCO Bank: Société Générale, Paris, France Account N° - IBAN: FR76 30003 03301 00037291909 97 BIC-SWIFT: SOGEFRPP Important: Reference to be quoted in any payment instruction: code 182REV9000