Culture

International Jazz Day - Tune in to the Global Concert 30 April, 2022

at 5 pm EDT/2 pm PDT/11 pm CET, Global Concert 2022 from United Nations Headquarters in New York to feature UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Artist for Peace Marcus Miller,Gregory Porter, David Sanborn, Hiromi, Pedrito Martínez, Ravi Coltrane, José James, Terri Lyne Carrington, Linda Oh, Shemekia Copeland, Lizz Wright, John Beasley (Musical Director) and others

Watch The Concert

UNESCO

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.

Intangible Cultural Heritage: UNESCO inscribes 47 elements

Intangible Cultural Heritage: Committee meets to decide on new inscriptions

50th anniversary of World Heritage Convention: achievements and prospects

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Our Stories

Historic prayer rooms discovered at Al-Nouri Mosque in Mosul

The excavations conducted under the Al-Nouri Prayer Hall by the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) have uncovered the remains of the 12-century mosque. A total of four rooms built of stone and plaster were exhumed.

UNESCO's World Heritage forests play a vital role in mitigating climate change

Forests in World Heritage sites play a vital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing 190 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.

Our Conventions and Programmes

Diversity of Cultural Expressions

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Intangible Cultural Heritage

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Underwater Cultural Heritage

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World Heritage

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Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property

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Armed Conflict and Heritage

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Culture & Sustainable Development

Restoring Livelihoods Through Culture in Yemen

Culture in Emergencies

UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Museums

Culture, a global public good

The world of culture meets at MONDIACULT - Over 160 ministers and all actors of Culture join forces in Mexico (28-30 September 2022)

Culture and Africa

Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity

Culture and Climate Change

News

Story

Natalia Castro Nicolás: Women create key networks that sustain mountain communities and ecosystems

News

Call for Expression of Interest: Assessment of digital skills and competencies of creative professionals and artists in Moldova

News

ReIShaping Policies for creativity: UNESCO empowers 16 Member States to advance participatory, evidence-based, and transparent policy monitoring

News

The Gambia invests in the potential of its artists and cultural professionals

Culture

Supporting local communities and promoting sustainable development around the world

authentic ethnic africa america sellerwoman working in shop

In Numbers

1154

World Heritage Sites

630

Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements

Around 300

Creative Cities

from the Creative Cities Network

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.