Culture plays a crucial role in enabling and driving sustainable development, from addressing climate change to promoting social inclusion. Over the past few years, UNESCO has been a growing recognition of the significant contribution that culture can make to development strategies and prospects. This has demonstrated by the multifaceted impact of culture on the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development across its 17 Goals.
To further promote the importance of culture in sustainable development. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution on “Culture and Sustainable Development” in December 2021. In response to this resolution. UNESCO is currently conducting a global consultation from mid-April to 15 May 2023. With the aim of preparing a report for presentation to the General Assembly at its 78th session in September 2023.
The consultation process involves a diverse range of stakeholders, including Member States, UN agencies, non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations, UNESCO Creative Cities, and UNESCO Field Offices, Chairs, and Category 2 centres. Each stakeholder has invited to respond to an online questionnaire that seeks to identify key trends in the cultural and creative sector at the local, national, and regional levels.
Contributions to the consultation are received in Word format and are also collected through the online platform Lime survey. The report submitted to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in July 2023. Followed by its submission to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2023, during the 78th session. UNESCO engages in a worldwide dialogue about culture and sustainable development. As part of its contributions to the 78th United Nations General Assembly session.
