UNESCO Advocates for an International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development - A Journey Rooted in Braga

On 11 March 2026, Mr Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO, wrote to all Mayors of UNESCO Creative Cities calling for support for the proclamation of an International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development (2027–2036) , a proposal formally submitted to the United Nations General Assembly following the adoption of Resolution 43 C/56 Rev. at UNESCO's 43rd General Conference in November 2025.

This global initiative is rooted in a landmark moment that took place in Braga. In 2024, the city hosted the XVI Annual Conference of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, bringing together nearly 700 delegates for the Network's twentieth anniversary. It was here that mayors and city representatives from across the world signed the Braga Manifesto, affirming culture as a pillar of sustainable development and calling for the recognition of cultural rights across creative economy, social cohesion, education, digital transformation, and climate action.

Mr Lazare Eloundou Assomo, explicitly places the Braga Manifesto within the sustained global effort that shaped the conditions for this new Decade — recognising cities as essential voices in building more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban futures.

As a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts and host of the conference where the Braga Manifesto was born, Braga remains committed to this journey and proud to have contributed a lasting reference point to the global conversation on culture and sustainable development.