A quiet street in Battambang town in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Battambang provincial administration) Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Cambodian government plans to submit documents for Battambang city inthe province of the same name to join the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network (UCCN) this year.
Theinformation was unveiled at a workshop on the matter held on May 23-24, which consulted stakeholders, gathered additional inputs, and updated new developments to beincluded in the application.
Theworkshop was jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, theMinistry of Culture and Fine Arts, the UNESCO Office in Phnom Penh and the Battambangprovincial administration.
The UCCNwas launched in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities that have recognised creativity as a major factor in their urbandevelopment.
As of 2021, up to 295 cities of 90 countries and territories around the world have joined the network which coversseven creative fields namely crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy,literature, media arts and music.
Byjoining the network, cities commit to sharing their practices and developing partnerships involving the public andprivate sectors as well as civil society to strengthen thecreation, production, distribution and dissemination of culturalactivities, goods and services.
They will develop hubs of creativity andinnovation and broaden opportunities for creators and professionals in thecultural sector as well as improve access to and participation in culturallife, in particular for marginalised or vulnerable groups and individuals./.
