The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 as a universal framework of 17 interconnected goals, aimed at creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world by 2030.
Today, global communities continue to face pressing challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. As art developer and cultural advocates, we carry a profound responsibility to contribute to this global agenda and advocate for a greener, fairer future.
“SDGs through Arts” is a global, cultural impact and socially-driven initiative dedicated to addressing the SDGs through the power of visual storytelling and creative expression. By engaging local and international artists, its mission is to Educate, Engage, and Raise Awareness on critical issues shaping our world while fostering a Social, Cultural and Economic Ecosystem for a Global Impact by Connecting and Collaborating with various Stakeholders as part of their ESG or CSR initiatives.
SDGs through Arts reflects ZeeArts’ core belief that art and culture are not peripheral to development, but integral to human progress, education, social cohesion and community life. By connecting creativity with the Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative transforms cultural participation into a vehicle for positive social, environmental and economic impact—creating opportunities that extend beyond the artwork itself and contribute to more inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities.
By making creative and cultural assets openly accessible, ZeeArts extends the life and reach of its cultural investments, amplifying their educational and societal value across generations. This approach supports lifelong learning, encourages knowledge-sharing, strengthens cultural participation and ensures that investment in creativity generates lasting, inclusive and measurable impact. Through this model, ZeeArts is committed to nurturing a culture where creativity contributes not only to the present, but also to the well-being, resilience and opportunities of future generations, locally and globally.
At ZeeArts, we champion the belief that art is a vital catalyst for societal transformation. Through cultural initiatives, we amplify underrepresented voices, inspire meaningful action, and foster impactful collaborations — positioning art as a powerful vehicle in advancing the SDGs by 2030.
In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, the United Nations in the UAE and ZeeArts developed a pilot advocacy program to raise awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals, through a lens of inclusion and empowerment, by engaging with artists and the private sector to Support, Sustain, and Shape a better world by 2030. SDGs through Arts is also a statement sparked by global economic, social, cultural, and creativity crisis. Lockdown measures have weakened many sectors and brought down productivity. Despite the unwelcomed ramifications, Art has survived. Art is resilient and remains a universal language that connects people.
Zaahirah Muthy
Founder : SDGs through Arts
As the founder of SDGs through Arts, I firmly believe that art is more than a creative expression—it is a catalyst for sustainable development, innovation, and social transformation. Through the universal language of art, we connect people, cultures, and sectors to inspire dialogue, foster collaboration, and create measurable impact.
Founded on the conviction that creativity can accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs through Arts brings together artists, governments, businesses, educational institutions, and civil society to develop initiatives that promote inclusion, resilience, and sustainability.
As we work towards 2030, we invite visionary partners to join us in transforming creativity into action. Together, we can harness the power of art to build stronger communities, inspire future generations, and create a more sustainable and inclusive world.
H.E Dr. Dena Assaf (United Nations- UAE Resident Coordinator )
Message :
“Art and culture play an important role in promoting social change and addressing global issues. The “SDGs Through the Arts” initiative is a valuable project that engages local artists to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and empowers them to use their creativity to shape a better world by the year 2030. This initiative also helps promote cultural exchange and understanding across borders, which is essential to achieving the SDGs. As the United Nations in the UAE, we are proud to have worked with ZeeArts for the pilot advocacy project of SDGs Through the Arts, and look forward to its continued success and expansion globally”