Regional Perspectives | Africa

January kicked off the African Union’s Year of the Arts, Culture and Heritage, in recognition of the crucial role of the cultural and creative industries in achieving the development objectives of Agenda 2063. Africa is endowed with a rich and diverse heritage and a dynamic arts scene. However, the growth potential of the culture sector is hampered by industry fragmentation, irregularity, and a lack of access to resources, technology and global markets. During the Year of the Arts, Culture and Heritage, the rich diversity of African culture will take centre stage in a range of activities spanning cultural heritage, the arts, languages, the restitution of cultural property, and the establishment of the Great Museum of Africa. The Year will also be an occasion to scale up initiatives and projects for peace and sustainable development throughout the continent to promote pan-African unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity. UNESCO is committed to supporting Africa in the pursuit of these goals as it has done over the past 20 years by conferring “Global Priority” status to Africa across the Organization’s programmes.