UN General Assembly adopts Vietnam’s initiative on culture and sustainable development

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a Vietnamese initiative declaring 2027-2036 the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development.

Vietnam promoted the resolution with a core group including Cyprus, Italy, Laos, Qatar and Saint Kitts and Nevis. A total of 103 countries co-sponsored the initiative, which seeks to give culture a deeper and more consistent place in development policies around the world.

UNESCO will serve as the focal point for implementation. It will work with member states to develop activities, programs and concrete action plans for the decade.

Introducing the resolution to the General Assembly, Vietnam’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Đỗ Hùng Việt, said culture helps shape identity, connect communities and drive creativity and innovation. He also pointed to its contribution to livelihoods and sustainable development.

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Culture contributes to identity, connects communities, inspires creativity and innovation, and contributes to livelihoods and sustainable development.

Đỗ Hùng Việt said the initiative would provide a framework for turning awareness into action, mobilizing political support and resources, encouraging partnerships, and sharing knowledge and experience. The goal, he said, is to give culture a more prominent place on the global development agenda.

Countries speaking during the session welcomed the initiative and emphasized culture’s role in sustainable development, cooperation, dialogue and mutual understanding. The resolution describes culture as essential to human development and as a source of identity, innovation and creativity. It also links cultural, creative and heritage sectors to income, employment, social inclusion, poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth.

The resolution calls for culture to be integrated into economic, social and environmental policies and strategies, alongside adequate public investment to protect and promote it. Its adoption marks the culmination of Vietnam’s efforts to advance the initiative through UNESCO and the United Nations.

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The International Decade initiative will create a framework to turn awareness into action, mobilize political support and resources, promote partnerships, and share knowledge and experience.