Culture and the Arts as Pillars for Sustainable Development

Herceg Novi, Montenegro,  5-6 December 2024

In a significant step toward recognizing the transformative power of culture in sustainable development, Montenegro, during its presidency of the regional initiative Council of Ministers of Culture of South East Europe (CoMoCoSEE), selected the theme “Culture and Arts for Sustainable Development.” The ministerial meeting, held in Herceg Novi on December 5-6, 2024, was organized with the support of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe. The meeting was attended, in addition to Montenegro as the chairing country, by delegations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey, as well as delegations of observers from UNESCO and Italy. 

The event culminated in the adoption of the “Herceg Novi Declaration on Culture and Arts for Sustainable Development.” This landmark commitment underscores the vital role that creativity, heritage, and artistic expression play in fostering inclusive and sustainable societies. By positioning culture and the arts as cornerstones for development, Montenegro joins a growing international movement that recognizes culture’s capacity to drive social cohesion, economic growth, and environmental responsibility.

Sustainable development extends beyond economic and environmental progress—it embraces people, identity, and shared values. Cultural heritage and artistic creation empower societies to reflect on challenges, articulate collective aspirations, and envision innovative solutions for a sustainable future. The Herceg Novi Declaration highlights key principles central to UNESCO's mission, including cultural diversity and inclusion by promoting cultural dialogue, safeguarding heritage, and empowering marginalized voices to ensure inclusive development. It also emphasizes education and lifelong learning by integrating the arts into educational systems to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of sustainability challenges. Furthermore, the Declaration recognizes innovation and economic growth by identifying creative industries as essential drivers of job creation, entrepreneurship, and cultural tourism.

This initiative aligns with UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which advocates for policies that elevate culture as a key component of sustainable development. It also reaffirms and localizes commitments made during the MONDIACULT 2022 conference, where culture was positioned as a crucial driver for sustainable and inclusive policies. CoMoCoSEE’s adoption of the Herceg Novi Declaration demonstrates a progressive step toward aligning national cultural policies with global sustainability goals.

UNESCO welcomes CoMoCoSEE’s dedication and remains committed to supporting the countries with technical expertise, capacity-building, and international cooperation to implement these ambitious cultural policies. As the region embarks on this path, UNESCO stands ready to collaborate, ensuring that culture and the arts continue to inspire progress, empower communities, and shape a better world for generations to come. This includes further support for North Macedonia, which has taken over the presidency from Montenegro and will host the next meeting of this important regional initiative.

CoMoCoSEE represents the most significant regional platform in the field of culture, serving as a space for the exchange of experiences, the establishment of new, joint models of cooperation, and the alignment of cultural policy priorities. This regional council currently brings together 12 member states, two observer states, and three international organizations also in the capacity of observers.