Third UNESCO Creative Cities Beijing Summit focuses on creativity and technology

The third edition of the UNESCO Creative Cities Beijing Summit will be held on 17 and 18 September 2020, under the theme ‘Creativity empowers cities, technology creates the future’.

The Summit is being convened by UNESCO in cooperation with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, and the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

Serving as an international platform for dialogue, the event will gather a diverse set of urban stakeholders including Mayors and city policymakers from UNESCO Creative Cities, high-level representatives from intergovernmental organizations, academics and experts, as well as representatives from the private sectors.

In line with UNESCO’s crosscutting approach to cities and urban development, and reflecting on contemporary challenges and urban complexity that the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on, the Summit will place the human factor at the heart of sustainable urban development while aiming to build on innovation and new technologies.

With a specific focus on digital economy, the 3rd Beijing Summit will also be the occasion to launch the latest UNESCO e-publication entitled ‘UNESCO Creative Cities’ Response to COVID-19’, which showcases the various initiatives undertaken by Creative Cities around the world that have leveraged the power of culture and creativity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the ongoing pandemic, this year’s edition will follow a hybrid format, combining physical presence for representatives within the People’s Republic of China and online participation for speakers based in other countries.

The meeting will be broadcasted live with simultaneous interpretation in English and Chinese (also in French for the Opening Ceremony).