Culture and sustainable development
A/RES/70/214
Recognizing the linkages between cultural and biological diversity and the
positive contribution of local and indigenous traditional knowledge in addressing
environmental challenges in a sustainable manner,
Taking note of the declaration adopted in Florence, Italy, on 4 October 2014, at
the third United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World
Forum on Culture and Cultural Industries, which follows the Hangzhou Declaration:
Placing Culture at the Heart of Sustainable Development Policies, adopted in
Hangzhou, China, on 17 May 2013, and the Bali Promise, adopted at the World
Culture Forum, held in Bali, Indonesia, from 24 to 27 November 2013, on the role
that culture plays as a driver of sustainable development,
Stressing the importance of inclusiveness within the United Nations
development system and that no country is left behind in the implementation of the
present resolution,
1.
Reaffirms the role of culture as an enabler of sustainable development
that provides people and communities with a strong sense of identity and social
cohesion and contributes to more effective and sustainable development policies and
measures at all levels, and stresses in this regard that policies responsive to cultural
contexts can yield better, sustainable, inclusive and equitable development
outcomes;
2.
Recognizes the potential of culture as a driver of sustainable
development, which contributes to a strong and viable economic sector by
generating income, creating decent jobs and addressing both the economic and
social dimensions of poverty through cultural heritage and cultural and creative
industries, while providing innovative and effective solutions to cross -cutting issues,
such as education, health, gender equality and the environment;
3.
Emphasizes the important contribution of culture to the three dimensions
of sustainable development and to the achievement of national development
objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals and other internationally agreed
development goals, and in this regard acknowledges:
(a) That culture contributes to inclusive economic development, as cultural
heritage, cultural and creative industries, sustainable cultural tourism and cultural
infrastructure are sources of income generation and job creation, including at the
community level, thus improving living conditions and fos tering community-based
economic growth, and contribute to empowering individuals;
(b) That culture contributes to inclusive social development for all, including
local communities and indigenous peoples, with respect for cultural diversity,
safeguarding of the cultural and natural heritage, fostering of cultural institutions
and strengthening of cultural and creative industries;
(c) That culture contributes to environmental sustainability, since the
protection of cultural and biological diversity and the natural heritage is crucial to
sustainable development, while supporting traditional systems of environmental
protection, and resource management can contribute to the increased sustainability
of fragile ecosystems and the preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,
reducing land degradation and mitigating the effects of climate change;
4.
Calls upon the relevant organizations of the United Nations system,
within their respective mandates and resources, to ensure that no country is left
behind in the implementation of the present resolution;
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