New Caledonia is moving to strengthen the governance and regional positioning of its cultural sector, following a high-level steering committee meeting focused on major events and policy reforms.
Mickaël Forrest, the government member in charge of culture, chaired the third meeting of the steering committee for large cultural events at Canala City Hall on April 28, as authorities push to better coordinate and elevate cultural programming across the territory.
The committee—established in March this year—serves as a central platform to align institutions, streamline resources and support flagship cultural initiatives with economic and social impact.
At the meeting, officials reviewed regulatory developments, including the presentation of a Governance Evolutionary Plan aimed at improving efficiency and reducing operational costs across cultural agencies. A key component of this reform agenda is the proposed merger of the Agency for Development of Kanak Culture and the Academy of Kanak Languages, seen as a step toward consolidating expertise and strengthening institutional capacity.
The committee was also briefed on a draft law on traditional knowledge, presented to government on April 29, which seeks to establish a legal framework to recognize, protect and promote indigenous knowledge systems. The initiative reflects broader regional efforts to safeguard cultural heritage while enabling its sustainable use.
Regional cooperation featured prominently in discussions, with the Pacific Community’s culture team outlining progress under the Regional Culture Strategy 2022–2032 and preparations for the 14th Pacific Arts and Culture Festival, which New Caledonia will host in 2028.
The festival, widely regarded as the Pacific’s largest cultural gathering, is expected to anchor the territory’s cultural calendar and drive momentum for related events in the lead-up years.
These include the third Caledonia Festival, the Days of the Caledonian Bath, the Night of Museums, the International Ocean Book Fair, the Week of Native Languages and New Caledonia’s participation in the eighth Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival in Fiji.
Officials said preparations for FESTPAC will serve as a unifying framework for the territory’s cultural programming, with an emphasis on regional engagement, heritage preservation and creative industry development.
The latest meeting signals a more structured approach to cultural policy in New Caledonia, as authorities seek to position the sector not only as a vehicle for identity and heritage, but also as a contributor to economic activity and regional integration.
