The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has included Lahore in its list of cities that have been designated as Unesco Creative Cities. A total of 66 cities have been selected for 2019’s list.
The cities on the list have been selected for one particular field. While Lahore has been selected in the field of Literature, other categories include gastronomy, music, design, media arts, and film. Meanwhile, other cities on the list include Angoulême (France), Kuhmo (Finland), Wonju (Republic of Korea), Wrocław (Poland), Slemani (Iraq), Leeuwarden (the Netherlands), Beirut (Lebanon), Nanjing (China), and Odessa (Ukraine).
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Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay made this announcement and said that this step would promote political and social innovation, particularly among the youth.
“All over the world, these cities, each in their way, make culture a pillar – not an accessory – of their strategy,” he said.
The project is being run by Unesco’s Creative Cities to make these places home of ideas and help in the contribution to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative ideas and action.
The cities on the list have committed to support and achieve the SDGs especially those that directly benefit communities at the urban level.
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The Unesco Creative Cities Network now counts a total of 246 cities. The member cities come from all continents and areas with different populations and income levels.
Unesco representatives said the cities work together towards a common mission. placing creativity and the creative economy at the core of their urban development plans to make cities safe, inclusive and sustainable, in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
