On Tuesday, October 31, UNESCO announced that Iloilo City has secured a spot on its Creative Cities Network, specifically representing the field of gastronomy. This achievement makes Iloilo City the first city in the Philippines to be included in the network’s gastronomy category.

Since its establishment in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network has brought together cities from all over the globe that acknowledge the significance of creativity in promoting sustainable urban development.

The cities that are included in this list have a strong dedication to promoting and nurturing culture and creativity. They are divided into seven distinct categories, which are Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.

Learn more about Iloilo Business Park Properties (Condominiums and Office Spaces)

Iloilo City had been actively vying for the title for a couple of years. To step up their game, the city introduced various food-related initiatives earlier this year, including the publication of a cookbook called “Flavors of Iloilo.” This initiative aimed to showcase and promote the local culinary delights of the city.

In addition to Iloilo, fifty-four new cities were added to the network. These cities include Battambang in Cambodia, Chaozhou in China, Fribourg in Switzerland, Gangneung in South Korea, Herakleion in Greece, and Nkongsamba in Cameroon. All of these cities are now part of the gastronomy field.

Iloilo City, as one of the newly designated cities, has been extended an invitation to attend the Creative Cities Network conference in Braga, Portugal. The conference focuses on the theme of “Bringing youth to the table for the next decade.” It is a great opportunity for Iloilo City to connect with other creative cities and explore ways to engage young individuals in shaping the future.