• On World Cities Day, 55 cities joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), following their designation by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

• World Cities Day designated by the United Nations falls on October 31.

• 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.

• Gwalior and Kozhikode from India are among the 55 new cities which have joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

• While Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh has made it to the coveted list in the ‘Music’ category, Kozhikode in Kerala has earned the place in the ‘Literature’ category.

• With the latest additions, the Network now has 350 cities in more than 100 countries.

• Newly designated cities will cooperate with Network members to strengthen their resilience in the face of evolving threats such as climate change, rising inequality, as well as rapid urbanisation.

Other Indian cities already in UCCN:

i) Srinagar - Craft and Folk Arts

ii) Chennai - Music

iii) Varanasi - Music 

iv) Jaipur - Crafts and Folk Arts 

v) Mumbai - Film 

vi) Hyderabad - Gastronomy. 

UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

• Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) aims to strengthen cooperation with and among cities that have recognised creativity as a strategic factor of sustainable development as regards economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects. 

• By joining the Network, cities acknowledge their commitment to sharing best practices, developing partnerships that promote creativity and the cultural industries, strengthening participation in cultural life and integrating culture in urban development plans. 

• The Network further commits to supporting the United Nations frameworks, particularly the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

• The UCCN covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.

Objectives of UCCN:

i) Strengthen international cooperation between cities that have recognised creativity as a strategic factor of their sustainable development.

ii) Stimulate and enhance initiatives led by member cities to make creativity an essential component of urban development, notably through partnerships involving the public and private sectors and civil society.

iii) Strengthen the creation, production, distribution and dissemination of cultural activities, goods and services.

iv) Develop hubs of creativity and innovation and broaden opportunities for creators and professionals in the cultural sector.

v) Improve access to and participation in cultural life as well as the enjoyment of cultural goods and services, notably for marginalised or vulnerable groups and individuals.

vi) Fully integrate culture and creativity into local development strategies and plans.

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