Creative Economy: A Feasible Development Option

the issues relating to trade in audiovisual services and formulatepositions in the context of WTO negotiations, particularlyas regards the General Agreement on Trade in Services(GATS) and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects ofIntellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement).9.2.2 Third United NationsConference on the Least DevelopedCountries: MusicThe Third United Nations Conference on the LeastDeveloped Countries, organized by UNCTAD in its capacityas the United Nations focal point for issues relating tothe LDCs, was held in Brussels in May 2001. The conferenceprovided an opportunity for the music industry to becomepart of intergovernmental debates. 4 The rationale was to sensitizegovernments of LDCs to the fact that the richness ofthe poorest countries lies in the abundance of their talentstranslated into cultural expressions such as music and dance,which in turn have significant economic value. Recalling thatrecorded music products worldwide were part of a $50 billionmarket, far exceeding the markets for traditional commodities,the Secretary-General of UNCTAD emphasizedthat “the music industry feeds into a wider policy discussionabout how to diversify economic activity in LDCs”. 5 As follow-up,a series of studies were carried out to examine theeconomic potential of the music industry to improve earningsfrom trade and IPRs in a number of developing countries,particularly in the LDCs and SIDS. 6 These studiespaved the way for policy initiatives and technical assistanceprojects to strengthen the music industry in some countries,particularly in Africa and the Caribbean. The fourth UnitedNations Conference on Least Developed Countries will beheld in Turkey in 2011.9.2.3 UNCTAD XI: Creative industries— A turning pointAt the UNCTAD XI Ministerial Conference, held inSão Paulo, Brazil, in 2004, the topic of creative industrieswas introduced into the international economic and developmentagenda 7 for the first time on the basis of recommendationsmade by the High-level Panel on Creative Industriesand Development. The São Paulo Consensus, negotiatedamong 153 countries, 8 stated that:Creative industries can help foster positive externalitieswhile preserving and promoting cultural heritagesand diversity. Enhancing developing countries’ participationin and benefit from new and dynamic growthopportunities in world trade is important in realizingdevelopment gains from international trade and tradenegotiations, and represents a positive-sum game fordeveloped and developing countries (paragraph 65).The international community should supportnational efforts of developing countries to increasetheir participation in and benefit from dynamic sectorsand to foster, protect and promote their creativeindustries (paragraph 91).Member States recognized that “creative industries representone of the most dynamic sectors in the global tradingsystem” and that “their dual economic and cultural functionalitycalls for innovative policy responses”. 9 The High-level Panel,with the presence of the United Nations Secretary-General,stated that “special measures were needed for the developmentof creative industries at the international level, particularly inthe trade and financing arena and in ensuring cultural diversityin developing countries”. The panel also stated that “increasedand better coordinated international efforts was needed for thepromotion of more collaboration among different internationalagencies and the investment community”. 10In discharging its mandates, UNCTAD shaped anumber of international and national policy initiatives in thearea of creative industries and the creative economy. In thisregard, it built synergies among the United Nations organizations,aiming at exploring complementarities, undertakingjoint technical cooperation projects and promoting moreeffective concerted international actions. In this spirit, theUnited Nations Multi-Agency Informal Group on CreativeIndustries was set up by UNCTAD in 2004. The group,which brings together ILO, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP,UNESCO and WIPO, maintains a regular dialogue and9The international dimension of creative-industries policy4 UNCTAD (2003).5 Opening statement by R. Ricupero, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, at the Youth Forum, 19 May 2001, cited in UNCTAD (2003).6 Reference to case studies by the UNCTAD/WIPO research project on the Caribbean music industry.7 Deliberations based on UNCTAD (2004). Creative Industries and Development.8 See São Paulo Consensus, contained in the report of UNCTAD (2004). UNCTAD XI High-level Panel on Creative Industries and Development Agenda.9 UNCTAD (2004). Summary of High-level Panel on Creative Industries, para. 4.10 Ibid., para. 7.CREATIVE ECONOMY REPORT 2010233