UNESCO'S CREATIVE CITIES NETWORK (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: The Prime Minister of India recently lauded the inclusion of Kozhikode as the 'City of Literature' and Gwalior as the 'City of Music' in UNESCO's Creative Cities Network. Shri Modi congratulated the people of Kozhikode and Gwalior on this remarkable achievement.

UNESCO's Creative Cities Network

• Established: It was created in 2004.
• Aim: To “promote cooperation among cities which recognize creativity as a strategic factor in their urban development”.
• Aim: Sustainable Development Goal 11 aims for Sustainable Cities and Communities.
• Covers seven creative fields: crafts and folk arts, media arts, film, design, gastronomy, literature and music.

Indian Cities on UCCN

• Srinagar - Crafts and Folk Arts (2021)
• Mumbai – Film (2019).
• Hyderabad – Gastronomy (2019).
• Chennai - Creative city of Music (2017).
• Jaipur - Crafts and Folk Arts (2015).
• Varanasi - Creative city of Music (2015).

UNESCO

• Formation: 1945, is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based in Paris.
• Objective: It works to achieve peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms.
• Members: 195 member states and 10 associate members. India is a founding member of the Organization.
• Headquarter: Paris, France.