Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the creative and cultural sector has played a key role in the world and it deserves more support, said Volkan Bozkir, the President of the UN General Assembly.
During the high-level event celebrating World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Mr. Bozkir stated that “as we deliberate on the role of the creative sectors in supporting and being supported by a recovery from COVID-19, let us ensure that we address the bottlenecks limiting their potentials, such as inadequate policy protections and rights for the creative sector workers and business.”
Volkan Bozkir President UN General Assembly
“The culture offers an opportunity to address concerns over the impacts of COVID-19. Far too often society is blind to the socio-economic contributions of those in the creative and cultural spheres. This is a mistake. The breadth of this sector alone, covering everything from advertising to architecture, from fashion to film and television, is immense and diverse.”
The Assembly President states that these sectors account for three percent of the global economy, generate $2.25 trillion annually and support 30 million jobs worldwide. The creative sectors not only enrich our lives but are also the largest employment sectors for young people.
Despite the size, value and influence of the creative sectors, they are not considered as needed when formulating policy and making fiscal decisions and the industry’s overall contributions is underestimated.
The Assembly President stated that these sectors should be given the tools to thrive and ensure comprehensive and up-to-date data on their contributions toward the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG) economic, social and environmental pillars.
Held every year on 21st May, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development.
The UN-designated 2021 as the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development to expand the global creative economy’s contributions, break silos and grow partnerships for culture.
The Assembly President said that during the pandemic many found solace and comfort in music, the arts, and reading. By limiting these sectors, they control our societies’ capacities to build back better.
