The 17th UNESCO Creative Cities Network Annual Conference (Enghien-les-Bains, France)
Participation in the 17th UNESCO Creative Cities Network Annual Conference (Enghien-les-Bains, France)
On June 23 and 24, three representatives from our city—the Mayor, an interpreter, and the Director of the Creative City of Gastronomy Promotion Office—participated in the 17th UNESCO Creative Cities Network Annual Conference held in Enghien-les-Bains, France. This marked the third time our city participated in the conference.
Below is a report on the event.
What is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)?
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was established in 2004 by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to promote sustainable urban development through creative industries in cities around the world. The Network encompasses eight creative fields: Literature, Film, Music, Crafts and Folk Arts, Design, Media Arts, Gastronomy, and Architecture.
Member cities harness their unique cultural assets to drive new ideas and projects that improve the quality of life for their citizens. Through this, they foster regional economic development, boost tourism, and further strengthen international exchange and cooperation.
What is the UCCN Annual Conference?
The Annual Conference is one of the most important activities within UCCN, where mayors and officials of member cities, as well as UNESCO representatives, gather to strengthen ties among member cities and discuss strategies for the further development of the Network.
In principle, it is recommended that member cities attend every year. This year, more than 500 participants from around 200 member cities took part. Under the theme “Culture and Artificial Intelligence: Shaping the Future of UNESCO Creative Cities,” lively discussions were held on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged in creative and sustainable urban development.
★ Conference Programme
Below are some of the programmes that took place over the two days.
Thematic Session
Under the theme “Integrating AI into the Creative Role of Sustainable Urban Development,” participants from various fields freely exchanged ideas. Examples were shared of how member cities are leveraging AI to drive cultural innovation and engage broader audiences, thereby supporting the transition toward more sustainable cities. In the keynote speech, the need for the Network taking a pioneering role in establishing rules and shaping policies to effectively utilize AI—this powerful tool—was emphasized.
Mayors’ Forum
The Mayors’ Forum, open exclusively to mayors and deputy mayors of Creative Cities, provided an opportunity to share reflections and visions on integrating AI into cultural ecosystems at both local andglobal levels. It was underlined as a shared responsibility of all cities to harness this new technology to broaden the base of culture, strengthen social cohesion, and enhance international cooperation.
Inter-city Exchange Event
Twenty years have passed since the Network’s founding, and numerous joint initiatives among Creative Cities have emerged. At this event, booths were set up to showcase collaborative projects between cities, and participants freely exchanged views on past activities and new possibilities for collaboration. Our city, Usuki, was also able to find several hints for new forms of exchange that extend beyond the field of gastronomy.
★ Impressions of the Conference
Mayor of Usuki City, NISHIOKA Takashi
As this was my first time attending the Annual Conference, it was a valuable opportunity to
interact directly with mayors and representatives from various Creative Cities in Japan and abroad. Creative Cities around the world take great pride in their own unique cultures and are highly motivated to further enhance the value of their cities through the activities of the Network. Talking with such people gave me a wealth of inspiration and ideas for city development. I was also very pleased that many participants showed interest in Usuki City’s initiatives, and that we received high praise in particular from representatives of the cities we invited to the “Usuki Gastronomy Festival 2024” held last year. I hope to cherish the many encounters made through this conference and continue working to further enhance the value of Usuki City.
Industrial Tourism Division, Creative City of Gastronomy Promotion Office
YAMAMOTO Tatsuji
By participating in this valuable occasion where cities from all eight fields of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network gathered, I was able to experience global cultural trends firsthand while actively promoting the name of Usuki City to the world. One thing that I particularly felt this time is that “food” is a very accessible medium for fostering exchange across different cultures. For instance, many member cities in the field of Literature are located in language regions that use the alphabet, such as Europe, whereas cities in the field of Gastronomy are spread out across every region of the world. No matter where a food comes from, once you put it in your mouth, you experience it through taste. Usuki is blessed with clear water and air, beautiful forests, and rich seas and soil; the gastronomy that has grown by making full use of these resources is something we can truly be proud of on the world stage. Moving forward, we will continue to present not only our gastronomy but also the many other attractions of Usuki as compelling stories, so that more people can come to appreciate their value.