Creative industries are a potential source of development，including employment and income generation，the enhancement of human capital for higher skill occupations and the creation of new export opportunities for products and services based on indigenous knowledge，design and local culture.Traditional cultural activities also support social cohesion，education，and inclusiveness.This paper argues the need for a creative economy approach that supports creative activities which are closer to the market so as to create sustainable growth and at the same，to empower the traditional cultural activities whose impact on society goes beyond economics. The Creative Economy has the duality to contribute to both.The Sustainable Development Goals （SDG’s） are the international framework against which the creative economy is promoted. This Agenda is a plan of action for people，planet and prosperity. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets demonstrate the scale and ambition of this new universal Agenda[1].Progress in these areas has and continues to make important contributions to developing countries’ progress.There is a need to place culture and community at the center of development. Any strategy that uses culture as a means of economic development and empowerment has the capacity to reach all members of a community and to affect their lives in some way regardless of their socio-economic status.Policies，institutions and other mechanisms designed to support the creative economy need to be shaped at all levels，from the community and municipality to the national level.12 Key points for understanding the creative economy and its importance in the international economic and social agenda1.The vast cultural and artistic heritage of the developing world，such as art crafts，music，dance，fashion as well as technology-intensive sectors such as media，architecture and advertisement，are increasingly being recognized as a major opportunity for economic growth，job creation and social inclusion.2.New technologies and increased globalization has meant a striking shift away from traditional manufacturing towards services and innovation. Factory floors are progressively being replaced by creative communities whose raw material is their ability to imagine，create and innovate[2].3.The creative industries are one of the most dynamic sectors in world trade with exports with exports having reached $547 billion in 2012 and annual growth nearly 9% in 2003-2012.4.In the most advanced economies the creative economy is a strategic sector reinvigorating economic growth，employment and social cohesion.5.The uptake of the creative economy mainly in Asia，have started benefiting from the dynamism of the global creative economy and are putting in place tailored cross-cutting policies to enhance creativity and innovation. China is leading in this process.6.However，most developing countries have their creative capacities underutilized.7.Trade in creative/cultural goods and services is now a central issue in all trade agreements and trade negotiations，regional or in the frameworks of the WTO.8.The creative economy contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals，in particular，poverty reduction. Design is called to play a major role in addressing social problems in rural communities and cities.9.Branding of regions and cities and place-making is increasingly seen as a source of competitiveness and the creative industries are an integral pillar in this process.10.Development paths will push towards Creative societies where citizen increasingly engage in providing creative solutions to increasing city problems.11.UNCTAD supports developing countries’ efforts to diversify their economies and to stimulate their creative economies for higher skill occupations and the creation of new export opportunities.12.Global process plays a key role in shaping policies for creative industries. Other UN fora such as UNESCO，WIPO，ILO，UNDP and ITC are also actively involved in this area.