5 May 2014: UN Member States and officials recognized the role of culture in tackling poverty and promoting sustainable growth at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Thematic Debate on Culture and Sustainable Development in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Participants recammended integrating culture, in all its facets, into the post-2015 development agenda. The Thematic Debate took place on 5 May 2014, at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

Opening the event, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson called for protecting culture and allowing it to “flourish in all aspects of the sustainable development agenda,” while cautioning that culture should not be invoked to undermine development.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which helped organize the event, said “culture can help to foster participation, to craft a more balanced and meaningful development model for the people, by the people.” She highlighted the contribution of culture around the world, including in: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, which provide a link between nature and culture as well as a source of belonging, fulfillment and identity for people; and Carnival in the Caribbean, which provides jobs for thousands of people in the craft and creative industries.

Mohamed Khaled Khiari, who spoke for UNGA President John Ashe, described culture as a fast-growing economic sector that includes cultural heritage, creative industries, cultural infrastructure and sustainable tourism. He emphasized understanding culture as critical in “adapting development approaches to local contexts and ensuring successful outcomes.” He noted that small island developing States (SIDS) have recognized culture as providing opportunities for their sustainable development.

Khiari announced that Ashe will host a cultural event and concert with performing artists and celebrities to raise awareness on the post-2015 agenda and “our global commitment to eradicate poverty.” The event will take place on 6 June 2014.

Taleb Rifai, UN World Tourism Organization (WTO) Secretary-General, drew attention to the role of tourism in enlivening heritage, stressing that the nexus between tourism and culture offers an opportunity to contribute to inclusive economic growth, social development and heritage preservation, among others.

The UNGA adopted resolutions on culture in 2010, 2011 and 2013, and references to culture have increased from 30% in 2006 to 70% in UN documents, according to the UN. [UN Press Release] [Event Website] [DSG Statement] [UNGA President Statement] [Draft Programme]