In recent years, the Social and Human Sciences have paid more attention to the concept of sustainable development. But the role of culture in the sustainable development at the regional level has not yet been fully studied and recognized at their fair value at the level of state policies. The contemporary culture of the Republic of Moldova, which includes both the valorisation and promotion of a rich cultural heritage, as well as the cultural and creative industry can be a strong potential for development and stability of our region. Cultural and creative industries refer to those parts of the modern economy where culture is produced and distributed through industrial means, applying the creativity of individuals and groups to the generation of original cultural product, which may have commercial value either through direct sale to consumers or as intellectual property. For a better understanding and evaluation of the role of culture in the sustainable development of the Republic of Moldova, we make a brief introduction to the history of the concept of „sustainable development” and the related international and European legislative framework, which is the basis for an adequate cultural policy at the country level. We focus on such important concepts for revealing the subject of the case study such as: cultural policy, cultural heritage and contemporary art, the creative industries sector, sustainable development, cultural diversity, etc.