UNESCO Creative Cities Network 2025 adds 58 new cities globally, including Lucknow under the Gastronomy category. Learn key highlights, history, exam-relevant facts and takeaways for UPSC, SSC, Banking and State exams.
UNESCO Creative Cities Network 2025: New Members Expand Global Cultural Reach
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network (UCCN) has undergone a significant expansion in 2025, adding 58 new cities from over 100 countries, bringing the total membership to 408 cities worldwide.
This year’s edition marks an important milestone: for the first time, architecture has been recognised as a formal creative field alongside crafts & folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts and music.
What’s new in the 2025 round
The new cities span multiple creative fields. For example:
- In Literature: Aberystwyth (UK), Abuja (Nigeria), Celje (Slovenia), Conakry (Guinea), Dumaguete City (Philippines), Gdańsk (Poland), Kahramanmaraş (Turkey), Lund (Sweden), San Luis Potosí (Mexico), Tangier (Morocco).
- In Music: Evian (France), Kisumu (Kenya), Korhogo (Ivory Coast), Kyiv (Ukraine), Lalitpur (Nepal), Liège (Belgium), New Orleans (USA), Nikšić (Montenegro), Wuxi (China).
- In Gastronomy: Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah (Saudi Arabia), Cuenca (Ecuador), Kelowna (Canada), Lucknow (India), Manizales (Colombia), Matosinhos (Portugal), Quanzhou (China), San Javier de Loncomilla (Chile), Songkhla (Thailand), Zaragoza (Spain).
- In Crafts & Folk Art: Andenne (Belgium), Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso), Cheongju City (South Korea), Echizen City (Japan), Faenza (Italy), Hebron (Palestine), Höhr-Grenzhausen (Germany), Lubango (Angola), Masaya (Nicaragua), Nan (Thailand), Ponorogo (Indonesia), Safi (Morocco), Sarchí (Costa Rica), Sifnos (Greece).
- In Film: Giza (Egypt), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Quezon City (Philippines), São Paulo (Brazil).
- In Design: Daugavpils (Latvia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), La Spezia (Italy), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
- In Architecture (new field): Bistrița (Romania), Kashan (Iran), Lusail (Qatar), Quito (Ecuador), Rovaniemi (Finland).
- In Media Arts: Malang (Indonesia), Varna (Bulgaria).
Implications and commitments
Membership in the UCCN comes with expectations: cities are expected to launch or scale up initiatives in culture, arts, education and innovation, share best practices globally, and harness creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development.
For example, cities like São Paulo are investing in inclusive cinema networks, while cities designated for gastronomy such as Lucknow and Kelowna are emphasising regional flavours and sustainable food models.
Regional significance: India’s case
India’s inclusion of Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) in the gastronomy category underlines the recognition of Indian cuisine and cultural heritage on a global platform. This can boost tourism, cultural exchange and urban branding for Lucknow, and by extension, strengthen India’s soft power in creative cultural diplomacy.
Future outlook
With the 2025 addition, UNESCO emphasises creativity and culture as a “global public good.” The network is aligned with broader agendas such as the upcoming MONDIACULT 2025 conference, which focuses on culture’s role in sustainable development and international cooperation.
Going forward, member cities will have to deliver tangible outcomes — not just symbolic designation — in leveraging culture for urban renewal, economic development and social inclusive growth.
Why This News Is Important
Relevance to Competitive Exams
For aspirants preparing for teacher, police, banking, railways, defence and civil-service exams such as Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or Staff Selection Commission (SSC), knowledge of global cultural frameworks like the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is beneficial. Questions in general-studies or current-affairs sections sometimes ask about UNESCO initiatives, creative economy, urban development and city-branding.
Alignment with Syllabus Themes
This news touches key thematic areas such as international organisations, cultural diplomacy, sustainable urban development, and creative industries. Understanding the role of culture in socioeconomic development gives aspirants an edge in essay, ethics, or general-studies papers, especially when linking culture to larger national strategies or global agendas.
Practical Implications for India
India’s recognition via Lucknow (in gastronomy) emphasises how Indian cities can join international creative networks. This matters because such designations invite investment, tourism, cultural exchange and innovation—topics often relevant for questions on urban policy, smart cities, heritage conservation, and economic growth.
Linking to Other Current Affairs
The expansion of UCCN in 2025 can be seen alongside other global protocols on culture (like MONDIACULT 2025) or national programmes for creative economy and skill development. It gives students a bridge between international developments and Indian policy responses—useful for crafting better-informed answers.
Value for Higher-Level Roles
For aspirants aiming for PSCS to IAS-level roles, awareness of how culture intersects with governance, cities, international partnerships and sustainable development is critical. It showcases the ability to think holistically about policy, culture, urban planning and global networks.
Historical Context
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was launched in 2004 as an initiative to promote cooperation among cities that recognise creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. Over the years, the network has grown steadily in membership and scope.
Originally focused on creative fields like crafts & folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts and music, the network’s expansion to include architecture in 2025 marks a significant evolution—recognising the built environment and urban design as part of a city’s creative identity.
India joined the network when cities such as Jaipur (in crafts & folk art) and Varanasi (in music) became part of it. With the 2025 addition of Lucknow under gastronomy, India now has further representation. This highlights India’s increasing presence in global culture-development networks and aligns with national initiatives like the “Creative India” mission and smart-city programmes.
The inclusion of smaller cities and less-well-known regions also reflects UNESCO’s aim to diversify creative economies beyond major capitals, acknowledging that culture and creativity are drivers of development worldwide—not just concentrated in large metropolitan centres.
In the context of international cooperation, the 2025 roundup arrives ahead of the MONDIACULT 2025 conference, where culture’s role in sustainable development will be further emphasised—making these designations relevant for both local urban governance and global policy dialogues.
Key Takeaways from “UNESCO Creative Cities Network 2025 New Members List”
| S.No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | The UCCN expanded by 58 new cities in 2025, bringing total membership to 408 across 100+ countries. |
| 2 | Architecture was added as a new creative field for the first time in 2025. |
| 3 | India’s Lucknow was designated in the gastronomy category, highlighting Indian cuisine and heritage. |
| 4 | Member cities commit to promoting culture, arts, innovation, and sustainable development through local initiatives. |
| 5 | The expansion aligns with global agendas emphasising culture as a “global public good,” ahead of international forums like MONDIACULT 2025. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)?
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is a global initiative that promotes cooperation among cities that use creativity and cultural industries as strategic tools for sustainable urban development.
2. When was the UCCN established?
The network was established in 2004 by UNESCO.
3. How many cities were added to the UCCN in 2025?
A total of 58 new cities were added in 2025, bringing the total membership to 408 cities worldwide.
4. Which new creative field was introduced in UCCN 2025?
In 2025, Architecture was added as a new category for the first time.
5. Which Indian city was included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2025?
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) was included under the Gastronomy category.
6. Why is Lucknow considered suitable for the Gastronomy category?
Lucknow has a rich culinary heritage, especially known for Awadhi cuisine, traditional spices, Tunday kebabs, biryani and royal cooking practices.
7. What are the benefits of being selected as a UNESCO Creative City?
Selected cities gain international recognition, boost cultural tourism, attract investment, strengthen cultural industries and exchange best practices with global cities.
8. How many creative fields are now recognized under UCCN?
There are now 8 creative fields: Architecture, Music, Media Arts, Film, Design, Literature, Crafts & Folk Arts, and Gastronomy.
9. How does this news relate to competitive exams?
This news is relevant for General Awareness, International Organizations, Cultural Heritage, Urban Development and Current Affairs sections of exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, Teaching and State Services.
10. Where will the major cultural policy forum MONDIACULT 2025 take place?
It will be organized under UNESCO as a platform for discussing global cultural development priorities.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
