EU General Statement – UN General Assembly 2nd Committee: Culture and Sustainable Development

Mr. Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries Türkiye, North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

First, let me thank G77+China for presenting this draft resolution, Delegations for their valuable contributions, the co-facilitators Ms. Alejandrina Basulto Alvárez from Mexico and Ms. Norma Abi Karam from Lebanon for their skilful leadership, as well as the Secretariat.

The European Union and its Member States stand firmly behind the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which guides our actions both internally and externally. 

In this context, all cultures of the world can contribute to, and are crucial enablers of sustainable development, and therefore, we support all efforts aimed at protecting and enhancing them. The European Union itself is a clear example of strong cultural diversity working together with the objective of improving the life of its citizens.

In the last 2 years important events have taken place related to the direct relationship of culture and development, some of them in the EU, such as the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla last June, or the Mondiacult 2025, in Barcelona. We welcome that they are included in this resolution.

We are pleased to confirm that we fully support this resolution. We regret however that a vote has been called on this normally consensual resolution. We believe this undermines our collective effort and the constructive spirit of striving for consensus which has been a tradition in this committee and has also guided the negotiations on this resolution this year. We hope that in the future we can come back to the consensus that had historically characterized its adoption.

We welcome that the resolution recognizes the power of culture as an enabler of sustainable development, and supports and enhances its power from a multilateral approach. 

We need more than ever to continue working to find common values in our different cultures, while respecting their diversity. The EU and its Member States are committed to contributing to achieving this.

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.