The Government Documents Collection is an official depository library for United Nations (UN) documents and publications. In this online exhibit we feature UN materials related to the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. Browse through, click on images for links to our catalog records and related UN resources, and learn more about what you can research in our collections.
On 21 May, 2021, the Office of the President of the General Assembly (PGA) in collaboration with UNESCO and UNCTAD hosted a High-Level Event on Culture and Sustainable Development. The event marked World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
Q: What is the "CREATIVE ECONOMY "?
"Essentially it is the knowledge-based economic activities upon which the ‘creative industries’ are based.
The creative industries – which include advertising, architecture, arts and crafts, design, fashion, film, video, photography, music, performing arts, publishing, research & development, software, computer games, electronic publishing, and TV/radio – are the lifeblood of the creative economy. They are also considered an important source of commercial and cultural value.
The creative economy is the sum of all the parts of the creative industries, including trade, labour and production. Today, the creative industries are among the most dynamic sectors in the world economy providing new opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog into emerging high-growth areas of the world economy."
-United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD)
Q: What is the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development?
In 2019 at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, 2021 was declared the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. Indonesia was the main sponsor of the proposal, which was presented by a global grouping of countries, including Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Philippines and Thailand.
The proposal recognized the need to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, foster innovation and provide opportunities, benefits and empowerment for all and respect for all human rights.
It also identified the ongoing need to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in diversifying production and exports, including in new sustainable growth areas, including creative industries.
It encourages all to observe the year in accordance with national priorities to raise awareness, promote cooperation and networking, encourage sharing best practices and experiences, enhance human resource capacity, promote an enabling environment at all levels as well as tackle the challenges of the creative economy.
Developing countries are playing an increasingly important role in international trade in creative industries. Creative industries are vibrant sectors of the global economy. Increasing demographics, better access to ICTs and dynamic shifts to new lifestyles associated with creative products and services, makes trade in these sectors a promising avenue for future growth.
Read the full UNCTAD publication here.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world’s shared plan to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality, and protect the planet by 2030.
Adopted by 193 countries in 2015, the SDGs emerged from the most inclusive and comprehensive negotiations in UN history, and have inspired people from across sectors, geographies, and cultures.
Achieving the goals by 2030 will require heroic and imaginative effort, determination to learn about what works, and agility to adapt to new information and changing trends.