Gwalior, Kozhikode join UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Gwalior and Kozhikode are among the 55 new cities which on Tuesday joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. These new cities were acknowledged for their strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as part of their development strategies, and displaying innovative practices in human-centred urban planning.

On Tuesday, UNESCO announced the addition of 55 new cities to its Creative Cities Network (UCCN), including Gwalior and Kozhikode from India. These cities were recognized for their commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as part of their development strategies and displaying innovative practices in human-centered urban planning.

Gwalior and Kozhikode's Achievements

Gwalior, located in Madhya Pradesh, was recognized in the Music category, while Kozhikode, in Kerala, was acknowledged in the Literature category. These cities join a prestigious list that includes Bukhara (Crafts and Folk Art), Casablanca (Media Arts), Chongqing (Design), Kathmandu (Film), Rio de Janeiro (Literature), and Ulaanbaatar (Crafts and Folk Art).

UNESCO Creative Cities Network

With the addition of these new cities, the UCCN now boasts 350 cities in over 100 countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay praised the cities in the network for leading the way in enhancing access to culture and utilizing creativity for urban resilience and development.

Upcoming Policy Paper and Annual Conference

UNESCO will release a policy paper titled "The added value of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network at local, national, and international level." This paper will highlight the leading role played by cities in achieving the 2030 Agenda and demonstrate how UNESCO supports UCCN members through dialogue, peer-to-peer learning, and collaboration.

Additionally, the newly designated Creative Cities have been invited to participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference, which will take place from July 1 to 5, 2024, in Braga, Portugal. The theme of the conference is "Bringing Youth to the table for the next decade."

The inclusion of Gwalior and Kozhikode in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is a testament to their commitment to culture, creativity, and urban development. These cities serve as role models for others, demonstrating how culture and creativity can be harnessed to drive sustainable development and improve the quality of life for their citizens.