[Photo via VCG]
UNESCO will lead the implementation of the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development (2027-2036).
The United Nations General Assembly today proclaimed 2027-2036 as the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development, establishing a ten-year global framework to harness culture for more inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies.Initiated by Viet Nam, with the support of a cross-regional group of co-sponsors, and the Group of Friends of Culture, the Decade marks a major step towards placing culture at the heart of the next global development framework. Proposed by the General Conference of UNESCO in its resolution 43 C/41 and introduced as draft resolution A/80/L.102, The resolution co-sponsored by 103 Member States was adopted by a recorded vote of 174 in favor, 1 against and 0 abstention.
The adoption of the Resolution carries particular significance in today's challenging international context. At a time of, overlapping global crises and mounting pressure on international cooperation, Member States united around a shared conviction: culture can help build common ground and advance sustainable development. The proclamation therefore represents not only a milestone for culture, but also an affirmation of multilateralism and the capacity of collective action to deliver on shared global priorities.
From Global Ambition to Action
As the lead entity for implementation, UNESCO will develop an Action Plan for the Decade, in consultation with Member States, United Nations entities and other stakeholders. The Action Plan will translate the ambition of the Resolution into coordinated priorities and concrete action. Drawing on the UNESCO Culture Conventions and Recommendations, programmes, policy expertise, data and global networks, the Decade will mobilize governments, international and regional organizations, civil society, culture professionals, communities, and development and financing partners around a shared ambition: to place culture at the heart of a more sustainable, inclusive, peaceful and resilient future.
"This Decade reaffirms our shared commitment to culture as a driving force of sustainable development. I wish to commend Viet Nam for the vision and leadership that made this milestone possible, as well as all the Member States that rallied behind it, particularly the core group and the Group of Friends of Culture. UNESCO is ready to translate this renewed global ambition into stronger policies, investment and action for the people, everywhere." said Nayef Al-Fayez, Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO.
Culture as a Force for Sustainable Development
[Photo via VCG]
The Decade builds on the growing recognition that culture is a powerful driver and enabler of sustainable development. In the 2024 Pact for the Future, Member States recognized culture as a key component of sustainable development and committed to integrating it into economic, social and environmental policies and strategies, while ensuring adequate public investment in its protection and promotion. This recognition was echoed in the Sevilla Commitment, adopted at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in 2025, which recognized the contribution of culture and the creative economy to sustainable development and called for adequate public financing for culture and investment in cultural infrastructure.
This momentum was further strengthened at MONDIACULT 2025, where over 100 Ministers of Culture reaffirmed their collective commitment to anchor culture as an independent goal in its own right in a future UN development framework. This ambition was underpinned by a broader dedication to strengthened multilateralism, with culture as a cornerstone of global cooperation, solidarity and respect for human rights.
The Decade now offers a concrete opportunity to carry this multilateral ambition forward, bringing countries and partners together to turn political recognition of culture into sustained cooperation, investment and action. As countries accelerate action towards the Sustainable Development Goals and begin shaping the global development framework beyond 2030, the Decade provides a timely platform to harness culture’s multifaceted contribution to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
From tangible and intangible heritage to cultural and creative industries and participation in cultural life, culture shapes how societies respond to shared global challenges. Cultural and creative industries generate 3.39 percent of global GDP and account, on average, for 3.55% of jobs, while creating opportunities for innovation, economic diversification and growth. More broadly, culture is a source of knowledge, creativity and resilience, contributing to inclusive education, climate action, sustainable tourism, gender equality, youth empowerment, social cohesion and peace.
Spanning the final four years of the 2030 Agenda and the opening years of its successor framework, the Decade will serve as a strategic bridge between today's commitments and tomorrow's global priorities. Building on the political momentum generated by MONDIACULT 2022 and 2025, it will help advance the more systematic integration of culture into development policies, cooperation frameworks, financing and monitoring.
(Source: official website of UNESCO)
