UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators launched in Cabo-Verde

The implementation of the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators was officially launched in Cabo Verde during a kick-off workshop held on 16–17 March 2026 in Cidade Velha.

The workshop was organized by UNESCO in close collaboration with the Instituto do Património Cultural and the Ministério da Cultura e das Indústrias Criativas de Cabo Verde.

Cabo Verde’s participation in the Culture Indicators 2030 reaffirms the recognition of culture and heritage as fundamental pillars of sustainable development and strengthens our commitment to community-oriented public policies and the promotion of their cultural and creative wealth.

Ana Samira Silva BaessaPresident of the Instituto do Património Cultural, April 2026

This workshop represents an important step in positioning culture as a strategic driver of sustainable development in Cabo Verde and brought together institutional representatives, cultural professionals, experts, and key stakeholders engaged in heritage and cultural policy at national and local levels.

This initiative aims to strengthen the production of cultural statistics and support evidence-based policymaking in Cabo Verde. By better capturing the contribution of culture to sustainable development, the Culture|2030 Indicators will help encourage investment in the cultural sector and foster the integration of culture into national and local development strategies.

The conceptual and methodological framework of the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators aims to assess culture both as a sector of activity and as a transversal enabler across multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and policy areas, measuring and monitoring the contribution of culture to the national and local implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

At a time when we increasingly believe in the importance of data, UNESCO's proposed methodology of making culture's contribution to sustainable development visible through data is fundamental for generating more assertive policies. The workshop was a special moment that, in addition to capacity building, allowed for the formation of an alliance between different stakeholders in favor of culture as a promoter of sustainable development.

João Luiz de FigueiredoUNESCO regional expert, April 2026

The methodology, involving 22 indicators across several thematic dimensions, seeks to make culture visible in development processes while providing a comprehensive thematic overview, strengthening advocacy and policy messaging, informing national and local decision-making, enhancing knowledge-building, and monitoring progress on culture’s relevance for the SDGs.

This data is essential for compiling national and local statistics. It not only makes it possible to measure the role of culture in sustainable development, but also to increase investment in this sector and, ultimately, to ensure that culture is integrated into discussions, strategic plans, and public policy over the long term.

Adele NibonaRegional Advisor for Culture, UNESCO, March 2026

Over the two-day workshop, the 17 participants (9 women and 8 men) were introduced to the methodology and engaged in collective technical work to assess the feasibility of measuring the indicators. Discussions focused on evaluating the availability and quality of data, identifying key sources of information, and clarifying institutional roles and responsibilities for data collection and reporting. This process marked the beginning of the first data mapping phase.

The project is implemented with the support of the European Union as part of the second phase of the programme, which is being rolled out in ten countries and cities worldwide, including Cabo Verde and the city of Ribeira Grande de Santiago. This initiative is aligned with UNESCO’s commitment to advocating for the essential role of culture in sustainable development.