Battambang becomes the first-ever Cambodian city to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Battambang has become the first-ever Cambodian city to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Its designation as a creative city of gastronomy, is a testimony to Battambang’s longstanding efforts and commitment to harnessing culture and creativity for sustainable urban development.

On World Cities Day, 55 cities join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), following their designation by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. New cities, including Battambang of Cambodia, were acknowledged for their strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as part of their development strategies, and displaying innovative practices in human-centred urban planning. With the latest additions, the Network now counts 350 cities in more than one hundred countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music.

The inclusion of Battambang as a UNESCO Creative City in the Gastronomy category not only showcases its exceptional cuisine but also leverages gastronomy to enhance local development and global cultural exchange.

“UNESCO congratulates Cambodia on this first-ever achievement. The recognition of Battambang as a Creative City of Gastronomy is a tribute to the city’s cultural assets and will be instrumental in promoting culture and creativity and will enhance the economic growth and tourism income of the communities” stated Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia.

In 2023, UNESCO Cambodia provided technical assistance to the Royal Government of Cambodia and facilitated capacity building activities for the promotion of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) organised by the Battambang municipality together with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in Battambang.

Local dishes including Nem Battambang (soft fish), Prahok Battambang, Amok Battambang, Kralan Battambang (sticky rice stuffed in bamboo tube), Sangvak Battambang, Papaya Salad Battambang, Kantuy Hes Battambang, Rice Paper Battambang, Teuk Kroeung Battambang are among the most popular dishes at the heart of the daily life of people in Battambang.

Link to the press release: 55 new cities join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network on World Cities Day | UNESCO

To know more about the UNESCO Creative Cities Network click here
* Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office