On World Cities Day 2025, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) expanded once again, welcoming 58 new member cities from across the globe. Among them are 10 new Cities of Music, each recognised for their commitment to using creativity as a powerful tool for sustainable and inclusive urban development.
The announcement, made by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, reflects the growing momentum of cities worldwide that are embracing creativity as a cornerstone of resilience, innovation and community connection. With these new designations, the Network now includes 408 cities across more than 100 countries, forming a vibrant and collaborative ecosystem of creativity-driven urban centres.
For the first time, UNESCO also introduced a new creative field — Architecture — expanding the Network beyond its seven established domains: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music. This milestone highlights the evolving role of design and cultural planning in building human-centred cities.
This year’s new Creative Cities represent extraordinary cultural diversity and innovation. From New Orleans (Music)and Kyiv (Music) to Giza (Film), Lucknow (Gastronomy) and Daugavpils (Design), each city brings unique expertise in fostering creative industries that drive both economic and social progress. Their local initiatives range from community-driven artistic programs to global collaborations that celebrate cultural heritage, sustainability, and the creative economy.
As UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated, “By welcoming 58 new cities, we are strengthening a Network where creativity supports local initiatives, attracts investment, and promotes social cohesion.”
Adelaide City of Music congratulates all newly appointed members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and in particular, welcomes the newly designated Cities of Music — Evian, Kisumu, Korhogo, Kyiv, Lalitpur, Liège, New Orleans, Nikšić, Wuxi, and Varna.
Adelaide looks forward to connecting with these cities to share experiences, build new creative partnerships, and continue advancing the role of music and the arts in sustainable city development. As a proud UNESCO City of Music since 2015, Adelaide remains deeply committed to promoting South Australia’s vibrant music culture internationally and fostering cross-cultural collaboration across the global network.
To learn more about the newly appointed Creative Cities and the mission of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, visit UNESCO’s official website.