The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is a cornerstone instrument of international human rights law that establishes binding obligations for States to respect, protect, and fulfil fundamental economic, social, and cultural rights. In particular, Article 15 explicitly recognises the central role of culture, science, and creativity, stating that:

The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone: (a) To take part in cultural life; (b) To enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications; (c) To benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

This provision affirms cultural participation as a universal human right, linking access to culture not only to individual identity and dignity but also to broader processes of knowledge creation, innovation, and transmission. Article 15 further implies positive duties for States, which must adopt measures to conserve, develop, and diffuse culture and science, while ensuring that authors and creators are fairly protected. Within this framework, culture is understood as a living, dynamic process, deeply connected to social inclusion, education, and sustainable development, rather than as a static or purely symbolic domain.