New UNESCO Report on Cultural Policies - Culture: The Missing SDG
UNESCO’s first Global Report on Cultural Policies, Culture: the Missing SDG, was launched at MONDIACULT 2025 in Barcelona, marking a milestone in global cultural policy. Based on evidence from 196 countries, 116 cities, over 1,200 national reports, and 200 case studies, the report highlights a significant shift: 93% of Member States now reference culture in their sustainable development policies, though many still lack clear targets, indicators, and mechanisms for implementation. The report emphasizes that culture is increasingly being “operationalized” in public policy, from urban regeneration and post-disaster recovery to digital access, education, and conflict prevention. Yet challenges remain, including funding disparities between regions, outdated institutional frameworks, and widening gaps linked to gender inequality, digital divides, and unequal opportunities for creators, especially in the fast-evolving AI environment.
Structured around six priority areas identified in the MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration—cultural participation, digital innovation, cultural and arts education, sustainable cultural ecosystems, climate action, and resilience/peacebuilding—the report demonstrates how culture advances human rights, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. It stresses that culture is not a marginal sector but a central driver of resilience and transformation in addressing today’s crises, from climate change to social fragmentation. By calling for culture to be recognized as a standalone SDG, UNESCO underscores the urgency of providing culture with the visibility, coherence, and ambition it needs to fully contribute to the global agenda for sustainability, peace, and security.
Check out the full report: UNESCO Global Report on Cultural Policies