72 cities from 46 countries join UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities

With this expansion, the Global Network of Learning Cities, launched in 2013, now includes 425 cities from 91 countries, collectively supporting lifelong learning opportunities for nearly 500 million citizens.

UNESCO Learning Citiesare dynamic communities where learning is embedded in everyday life - across schools, workplaces, libraries, homes, and public spaces. They create opportunities for all: reskilling and upskilling workers to meet evolving job markets, providing literacy for those who missed out in early years, empowering citizens of all ages to navigate and shape the AI era, and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets.

For instance, in Porto-Novo (Benin), the Women's Entrepreneurial Pathways Project combines literacy, vocational training and microfinance to empower women as entrepreneurs in crafts and food processing. The Lisbon (Portugal) City of Learning platform connects over 120 partners to offer 1,200 mapped learning opportunities throughout the city. And through its Secondary Learns Programme, Buenos Aires (Argentina) is transforming secondary education through personalized pathways and interdisciplinary teaching, reducing dropout and preparing youth for the future.

11 capital cities and 13 new countries

Among the new members are 11 capital cities, including: Porto Novo (Benin), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Lusaka (Zambia), Cairo (Egypt), Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Lisbon (Portugal), Ankara (Türkiye), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Hanoi (Viet Nam), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Caracas (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela).

13 countries are joining the Global Network of Learning Cities for the first time, including: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Cyprus, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Lithuania, Mongolia, Niger, Turkmenistan, United States of America, Venezuela, and Zambia.

The complete list of newly designated UNESCO Learning Cities is available here.

About UNESCO

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions, with a global network of 200 National Commissions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany.

"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.

More information: www.unesco.org