Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development
The Sustainable Development Goals Working Group of ICOMOS coordinates the response and implementation by ICOMOS of the UN 2030 Agenda.
Considering the urgencies the world’s societies are facing today affecting cultural and natural heritage, and the potential of heritage to help address these urgent issues, the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development serves as an imperative to transform the framework of cultural heritage protection. Heritage - with its value for identity, and as a repository of historical, cultural and social memory, preserved through its authenticity, integrity and ‘sense of place’ - forms a crucial aspect of the development process and has an indispensable role in sustainable development and urbanization; as a fundamental asset of long-term tourism development; strengthening social fabric and enhancing social well-being, and enhancing the appeal and creativity of regions.
ICOMOS is a leading global voice in integrating cultural heritage within sustainable development. Even before the adoption of the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the 2015 World Heritage and Sustainable Development Policy and the 2016 New Urban Agenda, ICOMOS has advocated for the positive integration of culture and cultural heritage into urban development plans and policies as a way of enhancing the sustainability of urban areas through heritage conservation and application of the Historic Urban Landscape Approach. “The Paris Declaration on Heritage as a Driver of Development” adopted by the 17th General Assembly of ICOMOS on December 1st, 2011, promotes a development process that incorporates tangible and intangible cultural heritage as a vital aspect of sustainability, and gives a human face to development.
Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals Policy guidance
English / French
In progress of translation
Spanish - Arabic - Portuguese - Turkish - Farsi
Webinars
ICOMOS SDGWG: Integrating Heritage into the SDGs
ICOMOS SDGWG: Economy and Prosperity
ICOMOS SDGWG: Society and Peace
ICOMOS SDGWG: Policy and Partnerships
