Culture is a source of innovation, preservation and identity and in today’s interconnected world, culture’s power to transform societies is clear. Its diverse manifestations – from historic monuments and museums to traditional practices and contemporary art forms – enrich our everyday lives in countless ways. Heritage constitutes a source of identity and cohesion for communities disrupted by bewildering change and economic instability. Creativity contributes to building open, inclusive and pluralistic societies. Both heritage and creativity lay the foundations for vibrant, innovative and prosperous knowledge societies.

UNESCO is convinced that no development can be sustainable without a strong culture component. Indeed only a human-centred approach to development based on mutual respect and open dialogue among cultures can lead to lasting, inclusive and equitable results.

UNESCO renowned cultural conventions provide a unique global platform for international cooperation and establish a holistic cultural governance system based on human rights and shared values. These international treaties endeavor to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage including ancient archaeological sites, intangible and underwater heritage, museum collections, oral traditions and other forms of heritage, and to support creativity, innovation and the emergence of dynamic cultural sectors.

In Bangladesh, three of UNESCO’s seven culture conventions have been ratified (1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions). In this context, UNESCO supports government authorities and relevant partners in the implementation of these Conventions as well as in addressing and reinforcing the cultural impact in Bangladesh, to translate strategies into policies and to familiarize and raise awareness of people about these policies while ensuring capacity enhancement, appreciation and awareness about heritage and its conservation, creativity and the development of culture for socio-economic development and social cohesions.

• Advocating integrated and sustainable conservation and management of heritage sites, especially World Heritage 
• Supporting heritage and arts education
• Safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage
• Protection and promotion of cultural diversity in all its forms, including heritage, contemporary expressions and creative activities and sustainable development of the creative and cultural industries
• Integration of culture in the national development agenda of Bangladesh and UNDAF.

Project: Local Community Involvement in the Sustainable Development of the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur World Heritage Site, Bangladesh (2016)

Project: Strengthening National Capacities for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Development in Bangladesh (2016-2018)

Activity: Heritage Education to Youth – Competition and Materials/Tool Development (2015)

Activity: Support to Built Heritage and Vernacular Architecture with Focus on Old Dhaka including awareness-raising on the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award (2015 – ongoing)

• Ministry of Cultural Affairs
• Department of Archaeology 
• ICOMOS Bangladesh
• Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (Ministry of Cultural Affairs)
• Bangladesh National Museum (Ministry of Cultural Affairs)
• Department of Forests (Ministry of Environment and Forest)
• Bangladesh National Craft Council (NGO)
• Center for Research on Arts and Culture (CRAC)