Asfi and Tangier Join UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network
The UNESCO organization, based in Paris, has announced the inclusion of the cities of Asfi and Tangier into its Creative Cities Network, joining a group of cities that leverage culture and innovation as drivers for sustainable development.
Asfi received this international recognition due to its rich heritage in traditional crafts and folk arts, while Tangier earned the classification in the field of literature, making them part of 58 new cities that have joined the network, established in 2004, which now comprises 408 cities from over 100 countries.
UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, emphasized that creative cities are a testament to the ability of culture and creative industries to lead economic and social development. She added that the newly recognized cities will participate in the annual network conference in 2026, set to take place in Essaouira, which has held the title of “Creative City of Music” since 2019.
This year, the network is adding a new field—architecture—to its list of seven creative domains, which previously included crafts, digital arts, design, cinema, gastronomy, literature, and music. Membership is granted to cities that demonstrate a tangible commitment to cultural and creative development and launch innovative initiatives in urban planning and development.
The Creative Cities Network aims to enhance collaboration and exchange of experiences among member cities, contributing to the expansion of the cultural policies’ impact on economic, social, and environmental levels. UNESCO notes that these local initiatives help create new job opportunities, stimulate the economy, and reinforce social cohesion.
