"There is no once and for all development mode. In the past two decades, we have seen many well-intended development programs. They failed because they failed to take cultural elements into consideration."

Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, said at an international conference themed "Culture: Key to Sustainable Development" in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday. She also said culture is the best assessment for extensive and sustainable development.