Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly
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High-level interactive dialogue on Culture and Sustainable Development
(As delivered by a GA Vice President)
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Culture is a vehicle for identity, and a catalyst for creativity, and innovation.
It is inseparable from sustainable development.
From mitigation to transformation, from economic growth to social inclusion, culture plays an indispensable part in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
But truly harnessing its potential for reaching the SDGs requires a recognition of the fundamental value of cultures – and a mindset shift, too.
Aligning our cultural norms and practices with the tenets of sustainable development will enable the transformation we all need to naturally flourish.
By better integrating traditional practices and sustainability, we give communities the means to feel ownership over their development.
Let me share a concrete example.
Indigenous Peoples across the globe have pioneered sustainable land management and climate adaptation for thousands of years.
If, today, we couple this wealth of knowledge with science-based data and evidence, we stand a fighting chance of combatting climate change, and of achieving our SDGs.
Culture is forever in movement.
Rather than being static or confined to the past, it adapts to us. It develops with us.
Culture bears knowledge, skills, and values, the transformative force of which can bring about real change from our homes to our communities.
We must use our cultures to promote environmental stewardship, social equity, and responsible resource use.
Yet, acknowledging the paramount role of culture in sustainable development comes with the need for major policy moves.
First, we should build education systems that strengthen social responsibility and accountability.
Investing in youth and education is a prerequisite to realizing the 2030 Agenda.
On the other hand, good education enables learners to appreciate cultural heritage as our common, shared human legacy.
A legacy which we have to safeguard and protect, as it is one of the most precious of our global public goods.
Development strategies and policies often fail to account for culture, and its enormous influence on our thinking.
Indeed, too often we rely solely on economic indicators in our decision-making.
Culture needs to be much better embedded in development plans.
This requires reliable measuring techniques, monitoring systems, and data collection methods, too.
There are many reasons why it is imperative to cherish culture.
And, why concepts such as “Beyond GDP” are so crucial – precisely because they go beyond GDP.
They include the inherently social aspects of progress.
Let me share with you a thought of Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú Tum:
“Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples.”
I invite you to see today’s High-Level Dialogue as a precursor to the SDG Summit – an opportunity to gauge the role of culture in reaching our 17 Goals.
But this meeting is also the perfect moment to set this cultural mindset shift in motion.
Not only must our new approach recognize cultures for their true significance, but it should also create an environment conducive to equality and mutual respect.
An environment of determination to make our planet a more inclusive and sustainable place for us all.
I thank you.
