A/RES/66/208 Recalling the concerns expressed in the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action 4 on the underrepresentation of women in decision-making positions in the area of culture, which has prevented women from having a significant impact in the area of culture and development, Recalling also the importance of the promotion of national cultures, artistic creation in all its forms and international and regional cultural cooperation, and reaffirming in this regard the relevance of strengthening national efforts and regional and international cooperation mechanisms for cultural action and artistic creation, 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, Noting with satisfaction that, in its resolution 65/1 of 22 September 2010, entitled “Keeping the promise: united to achieve the Millennium Development Goals”, the General Assembly emphasized the importance of culture for development and its contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and, in that respect, encouraged international cooperation in the cultural field, aimed at achieving development objectives, Taking note of the note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report prepared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 5 and, in this regard, acknowledging the work undertaken by United Nations agencies to optimize the contributions of culture to sustainable development, Acknowledging the importance of the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, 1. Emphasizes the important contribution of culture to the achievement of sustainable development and of national development objectives and internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals; Recognizes that culture contributes to the development of innovative 2. creative capacities in people and is an important component of modernization and innovations in economic and social life; Invites all Member States, intergovernmental bodies, organizations of the 3. United Nations system, relevant non-governmental organizations and all other relevant stakeholders: (a) To raise public awareness of the importance of cultural diversity for sustainable development, promoting its positive value through education and media tools; (b) To ensure a more visible and effective integration and mainstreaming of culture into social, environmental and economic development policies and strategies at all levels; (c) To promote capacity-building, where appropriate, at all levels for the development of a dynamic cultural and creative sector, in particular by encouraging creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting the development of cultural _______________ 4 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4–15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II. 5 A/66/187. 2