UNESCO's Recognition > Culture > UNESCO Creative Cities Network
UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) is a global initiative launched by UNESCO in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a key factor in their sustainable urban development. The network focuses on fostering innovation, culture, and creativity across different sectors, including arts, crafts, design, media, music, literature, and gastronomy. Malaysia is proud to have several cities recognized as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Kuching, Sarawak - Creative City of Gastronomy (2021)
Kuching, Sarawak is celebrated for its rich culinary heritage shaped by over 30 ethnic groups, abundant rainforest ingredients, and a long history of cultural exchange. The city’s food culture blends indigenous traditions, Malay and Chinese influences, and unique local produce, creating iconic dishes like Sarawak Laksa and bamboo-cooked delicacies. As a Creative City, Kuching is committed to preserving traditional food knowledge, supporting small farmers and artisans, promoting sustainable gastronomy, and fostering innovation in its vibrant culinary scene.
Ipoh, Perak – Creative City of Music (2023)
Ipoh, the capital of Perak, is recognised as Malaysia’s cradle of independent rock, with a vibrant ecosystem of musicians, producers, and labels that have shaped a distinctive local sound rooted in its recent cultural history. The city actively supports creative freedom and the sustainability of its music industry through festivals such as the Ipoh International Art Festival and Ipoh Music Symposium, alongside a 2020 action plan that integrates cultural policy with tourism and strengthens collaboration among stakeholders to position music as a core element of urban identity. This music-driven creative base is further extended through cross-sector initiatives linking music with gastronomy, film, and digital media, including music-inspired film productions and Projek Panggung, which showcases local digital artists and musicians, reinforcing Ipoh’s broader cultural and creative economy.
Kuala Lumpur, Creative City of Design (2025)
Design is a key driver of Kuala Lumpur’s urban development, economic growth, and cultural identity, shaping how the city balances heritage preservation with rapid urbanisation and innovation. Rooted in its history as a multicultural commercial hub, the city’s design sector spans architecture, urban planning, fashion, and digital media, reflecting its diverse social fabric and layered built environment where historic shophouses, civic buildings, and modern landmarks coexist. Design also plays a major role in the creative economy, contributing significantly to national GDP and employment, with strong growth in multimedia and digital industries, supported by adaptive reuse projects and initiatives such as the Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District that integrate heritage assets with contemporary creative activities.
