Culture
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Calligraphy: An Expression of Iranians’ Appreciation of Beauty and Spirituality
A ceremony honoring Master Gholamhossein Amirkhani, one of Iran’s distinguished figures in the art of calligraphy, was held on 19
25th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Commemorated; Emphasis on the Need for National Synergies and Regional Cooperation to Protect Underwater Cultural Heritage
The commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage
Dr. Salehi-Amiri in a Message Marking the Opening of the Seventh Meeting of the Governing Council of the Tehran Intangible Cultural Heritage Center: Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage Protects the Identity of Nations and Invests in Peace and Sustainable Development
In a message marking the opening of the seventh regular meeting of the Governing Council of the Tehran Intangible Cultural
Dr. Darabi Highlights the Role of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Dialogue Among Nations / Dr. Fartousi Calls for Strengthening the Regional Role of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Center
The sixth regular meeting of the Executive Board of the Regional Research Center for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in West
According to the Mexico City Declaration on Cultural Policies (1982), UNESCO defines culture as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterize societies. This definition encompasses heritage, the arts, traditions, beliefs, ways of life and human rights. From UNESCO’s perspective, culture is not only a source of identity and social cohesion, but also a foundation for human dignity, dialogue and sustainable development. UNESCO considers culture essential to building peaceful, resilient and inclusive societies, as well as a key driver of sustainable development in a rapidly changing world.
As the only United Nations agency with a mandate to address the links between culture and development, UNESCO works to safeguard heritage, promote creativity and support cultural diversity in the face of global challenges such as conflicts, climate change, inequality, technological transformations and economic instability. The Organization’s cultural mandate focuses on four main priorities: protecting culture in times of crisis; safeguarding cultural and natural heritage; adapting culture to contemporary challenges; and fostering inclusive, creative and sustainable societies.
Culture occupies a central place in UNESCO’s vision for the 2030 Agenda, given its contribution to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Through initiatives such as MONDIACULT 2025, UNESCO seeks to advance the objective of making culture a standalone goal in global development frameworks beyond 2030. MONDIACULT 2025 addressed six main priorities: cultural rights; digital technologies in the culture sector; culture and education; the cultural economy; culture and climate action; and culture, heritage and crisis. It also identified two areas of special focus: culture for peace, and artificial intelligence and culture.
Under the framework of the Fourth Medium-Term Strategy (2026–2029), the Culture Sector of UNESCO contributes to the achievement of the four strategic objectives set out in the Medium-Term Strategy (41 C/4) by mainstreaming culture into public policy; safeguarding tangible, intangible, underwater and natural heritage; strengthening creative industries and cultural economies; protecting culture in times of crisis; combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property; and promoting the rights and needs of Indigenous Peoples, youth, Africa and marginalized communities, as well as gender equality. The Sector also emphasizes the role of culture in education, climate action, digital transformation, and the ethical governance of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. In addition, UNESCO supports Member States in implementing the six cultural conventions, three international recommendations in the field of culture, as well as the implementation and monitoring of the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education.
Building Inclusive, Equitable and Peaceful Societies through the Promotion of Freedom of Expression, Cultural Diversity, Global Citizenship Education and Heritage Protection
Raising Awareness and Harnessing the Potential of Cultural and Natural Heritage and the Creative Economy to Build Inclusive, Equitable and Peaceful Societies by Supporting, Promoting, Monitoring and Measuring the Inclusive Role of Culture in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through the Implementation of UNESCO’s Six Cultural Conventions
Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage in Support of the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (Target 11.4), and the Policy for Integrating a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Processes of the World Heritage Convention (2015)
Development of Thematic Culture Indicators within the Thematic Frameworks of Environment and Resilience, Well-being and Livelihoods, Knowledge and Skills, and Inclusion and Participation
Preparedness for and Response to the Adverse Impacts of Crises on Culture, including Armed Conflicts, Disasters and Civil Unrest, and Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property through Policy Advice, Training and Technical Assistance
Integrating Culture into Teaching Methods and Educational Programs; Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Culture while Promoting the Role of Culture and World Heritage Sites in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; Climate Action Policy Document for World Heritage (2023)
Deploying and Developing Ethical Technologies in Support of Human Rights and Human Dignity
Development of Thematic Culture Indicators within the Thematic Frameworks of Environment and Resilience, Well-being and Livelihoods, Knowledge and Skills, and Inclusion and Participation
