Knowledge Exchange at Dunhuang Forum Underscores the Role of Heritage and Creativity in Sustainable Development

Dunhuang, 22 September 2025 - The Forum on Global Knowledge Sharing for the Protection of Human Cultural Heritage and Creative Industries, held on 22 September as part of the 8th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, brought together senior officials, international experts, academics, and cultural stakeholders to reflect on the role of heritage and creativity in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.

Organized in collaboration with UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, UN Tourism, the World Bank, and Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Forum served as a platform for dialogue across disciplines and regions. It highlighted how intangible cultural heritage can be a catalyst for international cooperation, how tourism must focus on quality rather than quantity, and how creative industries can become engines for cultural vitality and economic development.