UNESCO Creative Cities Network for sustainable development
Roadmap
Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) strengthens cooperation with and among cities that have recognized creativity as a strategic factor of sustainable development on an economic, social, cultural and environmental level. By joining the Network, cities commit to sharing best practices, developing partnerships that support creativity and cultural industries, strengthening participation in cultural life and integrating culture in urban development plans.
Since its inception, UCCN brought together 350+ Creative Cities that recognize creativity as a core pillar of sustainable urban development.
As the world faces rising geopolitical tensions, social inequality, and environmental challenges, the role of culture in peacebuilding has never been more crucial. To further strengthen UNESCO’s Global Movement for a Culture of Peace, a new category within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network could be established: UNESCO Creative Cities for Culture of Peace
Achievements & Potential for Peacebuilding
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network covers seven creative fields:
- Crafts & Folk Art
- Design
- Film
- Gastronomy
- Literature
- Media Arts
- Music
Cities in the network work together towards a common mission: placing creativity and cultural industries at the core of their development plans at the local level and actively cooperating at the international level, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda.
While cities from a same creative field collaborate intensely to develop joint partnerships, all member cities are also working transversally, in particular at common gatherings such as international meetings or the Network’s Annual Conferences.
However, peacebuilding has yet to be fully incorporated as a dedicated creative field. The introduction of UNESCO Creative Cities for Culture of Peace would fill this gap by mobilizing cultural creativity to foster nonviolence, reconciliation, and community engagement.
UNESCO Creative City for Culture of Peace
Amsterdam could become the first UNESCO Creative City for Culture of Peace.
With RYB based in Amsterdam, the city is uniquely positioned to take the lead in this new field. By combining its strong cultural heritage with innovation in creative peacebuilding, Amsterdam can set an example for cities worldwide and pave the way for a global network of Culture of Peace initiatives.
Highlights of the XVII UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Annual Conference
On 23 and 24 June 2025, the XVIIth edition of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Annual Conference took place in collaboration with Enghien-les-Bains, a Creative City of Media Arts since 2013. More than 500 delegates from around 200 member cities gathered to exchange good practices and explore innovative partnerships under the theme “Culture and Artificial Intelligence: Shaping the Future of UNESCO Creative Cities”.
This year, the UCCN introduced a new segment to the Conference. The Creative Cities Fair, aimed at deepening international cooperation and inspiring new cross-sector collaborations. The Fair featured two main components: the Partnership Hub, a networking space for cities to connect and discuss potential joint initiatives; and the Showcase Stage, a platform where selected cities shared their creative projects and extended invitations for collaboration.
> unesco.org/xvii-uccn-annual-conference