We are experiencing a cultural emergency, with millions of creative workers unemployed or underemployed. Artists and cultural professionals must be at the center of COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Throughout lockdowns the world over, artists and cultural professionals have been essential workers – for our well-being. Online concerts, music, film, books, art classes and dance, have given us the strength and the resilience we needed to face an uncertain tomorrow.  But despite all of this, there is a cultural emergency today, with millions of creative workers and artists unemployed or underemployed.  

Against this backdrop and in accordance with General Assembly resolution 74/230, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkır, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), will convene a High-level Event on Culture and Sustainable Development, on 21 May.

Taking place on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development and consisting of three panel discussions and a plenary session, the event will highlight the transformative role of culture as an accelerator of the Sustainable Development Goals, and raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing the cultural and creative sector post-COVID-19.

The theme of the event, “Building back better: towards a more resilient and impactful culture sector throughout COVID-19 and the Decade of Action”, provides an opportunity for Member States and participants to share experiences on crisis-response measures, identify implementation gaps and solutions and examine how investing in the creative economy could stimulate post-pandemic recovery, among other things.

“During the darkest days of the pandemic, many of us found comfort in arts and culture,” said President Bozkır. “But many artists and cultural professionals suffered economically. As we work to recover from COVID-19, we must simultaneously draw upon the skills of those in the creative sphere and ensure that no artist or cultural professional is left behind.”  

“The increased appreciation for creativity over the last year has made one thing clear, culture is essential to our emotional well-being, particularly in times of crisis. As we begin our journey of recovery, we must ensure that culture is not left by the wayside,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

When: Friday 21 May 2021, on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, 10 am – 6 pm ET

Where: General Assembly Hall and broadcast live and on-demand on http://webtv.un.org

Speakers to include:

  • H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkır, President of the General Assembly.
  • H.E. Mr. Munir Akram, President of the Economic and Social Council.
  • Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO.
  • Mr. Richard Curtis, Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Ms. Isabelle Durant, Acting Secretary-General, UN Conference on Trade and Development.
  • Ms. Mika Shino, CEO of Soundplay, Director of International Jazz Day at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
  • Ms. Frances Morris, Director of the Tate Modern Art Gallery.
  • Ms. Deeyah Khan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Artistic Freedom and Creativity, Emmy-award winning filmmaker.
  • Mayors and municipal leaders of Brazzaville, Changsha, Dubai, Lyon, and Montreal.
  • Ministers of Culture from Bangladesh, Croatia, Italy, Jamaica, Panama, and Sweden.

 

Programme and full list of speakers:

https://www.un.org/pga/75/culture-and-sustainable-development/

Social Media: #Voices4Culture and #Culture4Development

 

For further information or interview requests, please contact:

Denise Kling, Office of the President of the General Assembly
T: 1 (347) 604 1131 / E: denise.kling@un.org

Carl Mercer, Office of the President of the General Assembly
T: 1 (347) 652-5933/ E: carl.mercer@un.org