The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. The Network serves as an international platform of exchange and collaboration among cities for the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, notably Goal 11 on ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’. The Network is composed of 246 cities from over 80 UNESCO Member States, in 7 creative fields : Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
Cities around the world, including the UNESCO Creative Cities, have been affected by the global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). More than ever, in such a challenging time, the power of culture and creativity should be leveraged to strengthen cooperation among cities and reinforce ties between people and communities. UNESCO Creative Cities have been mobilized to further enhance solidarity and collaboration among cities by sharing valuable information, including their innovative measures and good practices, particularly through culture and creativity, being implemented to cope with the global challenge that we are all currently facing.
