KL eyes Unesco Creative City status
Mayor Maimunah Sharif said Kuala Lumpur's bid to join the Unesco Creative Cities Network has passed the initial screening. (Envato Elements pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has officially submitted its application for the capital to join the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN), aiming to cement its status as a regional hub for creativity and innovation.
Mayor Maimunah Sharif confirmed the development during a media briefing on the Warisan KL project, saying the application had passed the initial vetting process.
'We have already submitted our application to be in the Unesco Creative Cities Network,' she said.
'I have just received an email from Paris two days ago confirming that our application is in order. All the recommendations have been well received, and now they are going to the next stage.'
If accepted, Kuala Lumpur will join a select group of global cities recognised for using creativity as a key driver for sustainable urban development.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched Warisan KL, a project to revitalise Kuala Lumpur through physical upgrades, cultural preservation, historical conservation, and strengthened community values.
Anwar had previously announced the RM1 billion project to preserve the capital's historic landmarks.
Maimunah said the March application differs from Malaysia's current Unesco World Heritage recognition, such as for George Town and Melaka, which are heritage-based listings.
She said Kuala Lumpur's bid focuses on the city's vibrant creative landscape, which includes design, arts, music, gastronomy, and digital innovation.
'One of the criteria of the Creative Cities Network is the creativity we have in Kuala Lumpur that we want to promote and convey to people,' she said.
Established in 2004, the UCCN is a flagship city programme that promotes cooperation among cities which have recognised culture and creativity as strategic drivers of sustainable urban development.
As of 2022, there are almost 300 cities from about 90 countries in the network.
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