UN-Habitat expert: Only 0.6% of global GDP spent on culture

Only 0.6% of global gross domestic product (GDP) is spent on public funds in the cultural sector.

Report informs that Katriya Bulutoglu, UN-Habitat expert on Public Space and Public Policy, said this at an event titled "Public infrastructure facilities supporting resilient, sustainable and adequate housing for urban communities" held as part of WUF13.

She said millions of people are currently suffering from inadequate housing conditions.

"We are witnessing a situation that some people call a polycrisis. This includes intersecting challenges related to climate change, as well as inadequate housing conditions and uncertain environments. This is precisely the context to which this report relates. As members of UN-Habitat's Public Space team, we operate in 100 different cities around the world. Here, we look at public space through the prism of three interconnected areas. These are streets, open spaces and public facilities," she said.

Bulutoglu added that only 0.6% of global gross domestic product (GDP) is spent on public funds in the cultural sector.

"We want to emphasize the importance of public facilities. They are safe and inclusive spaces. This is not only about facilities such as climate shelters, but also about the role that facilities bringing different communities together can play. This is of great importance in places where host communities and internally displaced people live together, or for other communities in the city," she said.