French President Emmanuel Macron advocates global multilateralism for cultural, creative industries

French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a call to action for the international creative community, urging a global shift towards a new framework of multilateral cooperation within the cultural and creative industries.

In a guest piece published on September 06, 2026, the French leader highlighted the pivotal role that creative sectors play not only in driving economic growth, but also in safeguarding human expression and international diplomacy amidst rapid technological evolution.

Reflecting on the transformative power of storytelling, arts, and cinema, President Macron emphasised that global societies have successfully built a civilization of images that connects people across borders and cultural divides.

He noted that as artificial intelligence and new digital platforms reshape the landscape of production, distribution, and consumption, traditional systems must adapt to ensure that human creators remain at the centre of the creative economy.

President Macron stressed that individual national policies are no longer sufficient on their own to address the challenges posed by digital transformation, algorithmic curation, and global distribution platforms. Instead, he argued that nations must work together through a renewed multilateral approach to champion cultural diversity, protect intellectual property rights, and secure fair compensation for artists worldwide.

The President pointed to France’s long-standing dedication to the principle of cultural exception, which treats creative works as unique cultural assets rather than mere commercial commodities. He expressed optimism that international partners could adopt similar collaborative frameworks to foster a sustainable ecosystem where independent creators, film producers, and digital innovators can thrive alongside technological advancements.