Kathmandu and Lalitpur Municipalities Join UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Kathmandu Metropolitan City in the field of film and Lalitpur Metropolitan City in the field of music have become members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Among the local levels of the Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu Metropolitan City became a member in the field of film and Lalitpur Metropolitan City in the field of music, and local levels, UNESCO, British Council, FCA, ILO and other bodies and offices, and individuals associated with the creative sector have started joint efforts.

Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Sunita Dangol informed that the Cultural and Creative Industries Friends Group (4CCI) has been formed for the development and expansion of the creative industry, and mutual practice, knowledge, skills, and experience are being exchanged. The first meeting was organized by Lalitpur Metropolitan City. The second meeting was held under the chairmanship of Acting Mayor Dangol of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

In the meeting, while explaining the field selected by them and the work done under it, Acting Mayor Dangol of Kathmandu Metropolitan City said that Kathmandu chose the field of film because the film genre can encompass other genres of the creative industry and can make the creative economy dynamic at the community level. According to her, hidden stories within Kathmandu's communities can be connected with characters through film narratives, and Kathmandu can be developed as an open studio.

"The main activities are to generate interest in the community by screening films based on social, cultural, and family themes in public places, to dialogue about films, and to connect education, information, and message topics," said Mayor Dangol, "It establishes a relationship between producers, directors, storytellers and the community, provides production sites, increases income in the community, and achieves results according to public interest. We are facilitating by connecting areas in the community that are not generating income with income and by simplifying the related tax system," she said.

Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan of Lalitpur Metropolitan City stated that the metropolis has received membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of music, and the primary plan is related to increasing practice at the community level and making it internationally recognized.

He said that this group is being promoted as a common platform for local governments and international organizations to promote the creative economy, sustainable development, job creation, develop interrelationships, and expand cooperation and partnership.