Culture

Protecting Our Heritage and Fostering Creativity

From cherished historic monuments and museums to living heritage practices and contemporary art forms, culture enriches our lives in countless ways and helps build inclusive, innovative and resilient communities.

Protecting and safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage and supporting creativity and dynamic cultural sectors are fundamental to addressing the challenges of our time, from climate change to poverty, inequality, the digital divide and ever more complex emergencies and conflicts. UNESCO is convinced that no development can be sustainable without a strong culture component. Indeed only a human-centred approach to development based on mutual respect and open dialogue among cultures can lead to lasting peace.

Highlights

Nominations to the 2025 UNESCO-Greece Melina Mercouri International Prize are open

Deadline: 30 April 2025 (midnight, Paris time)

Apply

Call for Participation for the Exhibition

“Deep Surface: Polyfunctional architecture to enhance the experience of UNESCO Designated Sites” (Deadline: 13 October 2024)

MONDIACULT 2025

UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development | From 29 September to 1 October 2025, Barcelona, Spain

Learn more

In Numbers

1223

World Heritage Sites

730

Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements

350

Creative Cities

from the Creative Cities Network

Our Stories

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UNESCO and Alwaleed Philanthropies Launch Second Phase of Crafting Change Project Grantees to Empower Communities Through Culture in Tanzania

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Ivonne Ayala: A Brilliant Ecuadorian Mind in the Global Elite of Programming

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UNESCO strengthens the protection of African World Heritage

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Living heritage: a UNESCO Campus to share with the next generation the value of transmission

News

Joint Press Release to Commemorate the 2025 International Museum Day

News

UNESCO Strengthens Capacity of the Government of Sindh in Preserving the Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta in Pakistan

News

From Ocean to Soil Literacy: advancing SOILSCAPE’s mission

Article

UNESCO and the European Union bring together young Caribbean musicians in Havana for International Jazz Day

Quantifying climate benefits from UNESCO World Heritage forests

UNESCO World Heritage forests can continue to be reliable carbon sinks if they are effectively protected from local and global threats. The high profile, global reach, and inspirational power of World Heritage sites underpin a strong case for action. The successful implementation of actions to protect these forests requires the mobilization of key stakeholders (e.g., governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and the private sector) to develop sustainable financing and investments and promote interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing for decision-making.

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