As a proud member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Adelaide City of Music recognises the vital role that culture plays in building sustainable, connected, and inclusive societies. This vision aligns closely with the outcomes of UNESCO’s MONDIACULT 2025 – the world’s largest conference on cultural policy – which united global leaders, artists, policymakers, and youth in a shared commitment to place culture at the centre of sustainable development.
Held from 29 September to 1 October 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, MONDIACULT 2025 gathered more than 2,500 participants from 163 countries to shape the future of global cultural policy. Hosted by the Government of Spain and convened by UNESCO, the conference reaffirmed that there is no future without culture, calling for it to be recognised as a stand-alone goal in the United Nations’ post-2030 Sustainable Development Framework.
Across three days of collaboration and debate, participants explored six key themes: cultural rights, education, the cultural economy and decent work, heritage and climate action, culture in times of crisis, and digital transformation. Two additional focus areas – culture for peace and artificial intelligence (AI) – examined how creativity, ethics, and innovation can strengthen resilience and understanding in a rapidly changing world.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay described MONDIACULT as “a universal, inclusive space where all perspectives – even those different to our own – are heard and respected.” This inclusivity was reflected in commitments by Ministers and cultural leaders to protect cultural rights as human rights, ensure artistic freedom and equitable access, and safeguard Indigenous knowledge systems as vital sources of identity and sustainability.
A major highlight was the release of UNESCO’s Global Report on Cultural Policies Culture: The Missing SDG, a landmark publication mapping culture’s role in economic growth, climate action, and social cohesion. The report revealed that nearly every UNESCO Member State now includes culture in its national development plans – a strong indicator that creativity, heritage, and participation are increasingly recognised as essential to community wellbeing and innovation.
Delegates also called for stronger international collaboration to secure fair remuneration and decent work for artists, integrate arts and culture into education, and promote a human-centred digital transition that preserves cultural diversity in the age of AI.
MONDIACULT 2025 was a powerful reminder that culture is not a luxury but a necessity for sustainable and peaceful societies. As the world looks beyond 2030, Adelaide City of Music celebrates UNESCO’s leadership and continues to champion creativity, cultural diversity, and collaboration – ensuring that music and the arts remain at the heart of our collective global future.