Over the last two years, UNESCO has reinforced the essential role of culture in the response to the developmental, security and humanitarian challenges facing our contemporary societies. Among its many achievements in the field of culture, the integration of cultural protection concerns into security and peacebuilding efforts and the recognition of the role of culture for sustainable development in the 2030 Agenda are the most fundamental. On this occasion, the Culture Commission for the 39th session of the UNESCO General Conference will review a series of items that seek to deepen these efforts, including the adoption of the Programme and Budget for 2018-2021 and the conclusions of the Youth Forum.