Annex III to BS/WG/C/R(2025)2

PLAN OF ACTION OF THE BSEC WORKING GROUP ON CULTURE

1 July 2025 – 30 June 2027

 

COUNTRY-COORDINATOR: THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

 

1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

The general objective of the Action Plan for the period July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027 is to foster intercultural dialogue and cooperation among the BSEC Member States, with the aim of strengthening the role of culture as a driver of creativity and innovation, and as a key pillar of sustainable development in the BSEC Region.

The Action Plan 2025–2027 is built upon four major principles and directions of activity, which define the overarching framework of the program:

  1. Safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage and diversity

Preserve and promote both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as cultural diversity, with the goal of advocating for the distinct Black Sea regional cultural identity, history, and traditions.

  1. Enhancing the role of culture in sustainable development

Foster the growth of cultural and creative sectors as drivers of economic development and social progress, through the cross-sectoral integration of culture with policies in education, cultural tourism, youth engagement, and digital innovation.

  1. Promoting cultural education and empowering youth

Support initiatives that foster cultural awareness, creative skills, and intercultural competencies through inclusive and transformative education, with a particular focus on empowering youth as active participants in preserving and promoting cultural heritage and innovation.

  1. Strengthening regional and international cooperation

Promote collaboration and exchange among BSEC Member States through joint cultural projects and programs, while also developing sustainable partnerships with international organizations and stakeholders to align the BSEC cultural agenda with broader global efforts.

The Country-Coordinator will invite the Working Group to consider adoption of Ministerial Decisions and/or Declarations on every General Objective described above. The Country-Coordinator intends to prepare and circulate drafts for that matter if the Working Group agrees with this idea.

Modalities for a Meeting of Ministers of Culture, including its possible format (online or in person) and venue (if a preference is given to the latter option), shall also be discussed by the Working Group.

Alternatively, those drafts can be adopted through the BSEC routine Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) and Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs (CMFA) decision-making procedure.

 

2. MEETINGS OF THE WORKING GROUP:

  • 1st Meeting

November, 2025, online

  • 2nd Meeting

October–November 2026 (TBC)

 

3. RELEVANT EVENTS:

  • Legislative Frameworks, Inventorying, and Transmission of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the BSEC Region: Experts’ Reflections, International Online Meeting of BSEC Countries, October 14, 2025
  • Integration of AI into Library Systems and Cultural Institutions across the BSEC Region: virtual meeting of experts, Autumn 2026
  • Museums for Teens: Virtual Program Engaging Youth in Museums, Spring 2027

 

4. COOPERATION WITH OTHER BSEC BODIES:

  • Exploring the possibility of organizing a joint meeting with the WG on Cooperation in Tourism on topics / items of common interest;
  • Exploring the option for organizing a meeting with the ICBSS (seminars, workshops).

 

5. COOPERATION WITH BSEC OBSERVERS AND PARTNERS

 

6. COOPERATION WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

  • United Nations (UN), UNESCO, UN Tourism, UNDP, UN Alliance of Civilizations
  • International Council of Museums (ICOM)
  • International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM)
  • Council of Europe (Cultural Routes, Eurimages)
  • Council of Ministers of Culture of Southeast Europe
  • European Union

 

7. LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES / NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS

Mrs. Astghik Marabyan

Head of Department of Cultural Heritage

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia

E-mail: heritage@escs.am

Tel: +374 (10) 599 699/628

 

Mrs. Lilit Poghosyan

Head of Division of Cultural Heritage Protection and Development of the Department of Cultural Heritage

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia

E-mail: lilit.poghosyan@escs.am

Tel: +374 (10) 599 699/529