Sustainable development occurs within cultural contexts. Therefore, culture must be integrated into sustainable development strategies. In addition culture is a driver of sustainable development. The cultural sector promotes economic growth through cultural tourism, handicrafts production, creative industries, agriculture, food and medicine, and fisheries. Traditional agriculture and food preparation practices enhance food security. The interlinkage between cultural and natural heritage is a foundation for environmental sustainability and biodiversity preservation. In Pacific communities culture is the foundation of well-being, inclusiveness and resilience. 

One of the key challenges in the Pacific is to create understanding among governments and donor partners of the contribution of culture and the culture sector to sustainable development and well-being. As in the case of other sectors, this requires improving the evidence base (i.e. compiling cultural statistics); strong policy support; and a clear understanding of the role of culture as a cross-sectoral issue.

http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/documents/briefs-sustainable-development-working-group/