Erman M. Demir

This article critically examines whether the UNESCO contemporary cultural policy framework, particularly its embrace of the creative economy, functions as a form of neoliberal governance and explores the implications of this shift for Türkiye’s cultural diplomacy and foreign policy positioning within UNESCO. It argues that, although UNESCO was founded on principles of cultural diversity, peace, and international cooperation, its post‑2000 cultural agenda increasingly frames culture through economic indicators such as employment, competitiveness, and export potential. Methodologically, the study conducts a qualitative policy analysis of UNESCO’s core cultural policy instruments, with particular emphasis on the 2005 Convention, and situates this analysis within the critical literature on cultural policy and the creative economy. Türkiye is used as a central case to examine how a middle power country navigates, internalizes, and potentially contests this policy framework within a global governance context.