Initial results from the analysis of the place of culture in Voluntary National Reviews of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals show that there is a critical mass of countries which are already taking the role of culture as an enabler of progress seriously.

The Culture2030Goal Campaign, of which IFLA Is a founding member, makes the case for culture to be more fully recognised and integrated into development policies around the world.

Both as an end in itself, and as a determinant and enabler of progress on other goals, culture and cultural actors – including of course libraries – have a major contribution to make.

However, with the failure to include a culture goal in the UN 2030 Agenda, this potential risks being under-realised. Culture can be seen as only a secondary area of policy action, and the cultural factors that shape attitudes and behaviours can be neglected. Importantly, the 2030 Agenda missed an opportunity to signal to the cultural sector that it has a role to play.

Fortunately, many governments, when faced with the need to design policies to deliver on the SDGs, have themselves been ready to recognise the place of culture.

The analysis of the Voluntary National Reviews of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals presented at this year’s UN High-Level Political Forum illustrates this point clearly.

Not only do all countries refer to culture in some way, but the majority incorporate it into their plans in a more holistic way, reflecting the diverse and powerful role that culture can plan.

Finland, the Federated States of Micronesia, Malta, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Seychelles and Suriname all stand out for their sophisticated and comprehensive approaches. It is telling that these are countries at very different levels of development, in very different geographies.

The evidence also provides backing for the draft Culture Goal first published by the Campaign in 2022 ahead of the MONDIACULT conference this year, and which is currently being updated in time for the 2025 conference in Barcelona, Spain.

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