IFLA, as a member of the Culture 2030 Goal Coalition, is taking part in a side event at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum. This will focus on making the case for giving culture and cultural institutions a more central place in the response to COVID-19 and long-term development planning.

Originally created during the process of defining the post-2015 Development Agenda, the Culture 2030 Goal Coalition works now to increase awareness of the importance of culture in the delivery of the SDGs.

In the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Coalition released a statement, now signed by over 250 organisations and individuals, stressing the role of culture both in the short-term response, and in long-term planning. We recently received the very positive news of the endorsement by the President of the UN General Assembly, HE Mr Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

The statement also underlines the need to ensure investment in the cultural sector, both to protect livelihoods today, and to ensure that it is there to support recovery.

The side-event at the UN High-Level Political Forum will provide an opportunity to discuss the case for giving culture a more central role in decision-making.

Following a presentation of evidence on the role of culture in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Culture and COVID-19 Statement, a number of high-level speakers will share their own perspectives.

The event will take place at 12pm New York time (check what time this is for you) on a zoom webinar.

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-R6G-Y7UQBeQ0fG3EYqvsA