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Today, 77 cities from 44 countries join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) in recognition of their outstanding efforts to make lifelong learning a reality for all at the local level.

The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is an international network consisting of cities that successfully promote lifelong learning across their communities. It includes 294 cities from all around the world that share inspiration, know-how and best practice among each other.

"With more than half of humanity living in urban areas, cities have the power to drive lifelong learning policies by implementing and supporting local initiatives and bring bottom-up change. The newly admitted UNESCO learning cities have a wealth of expertise and commitment to ensuring that the right to education becomes a reality for people of all ages"   Audrey Azoulay  UNESCO Director-General 

The new members are:

• Africa

Bouaké (Côte d'Ivoire)
Durban (South Africa)
Gulu (Uganda)
Helao Nafidi Town Council (Namibia)
Hina (Cameroon)
Kara - Commune de Kozah 1 (Togo)
Kilifi County (Kenya)
Kuno Consortium (Kenya)
Kwekwe (Zimbabwe)
Laikipia Consortium (Kenya)
Libreville (Gabon)
Lira (Uganda)
Makokou (Gabon)
Masaka (Uganda)
Niamtougou - Commune de Doufelgou 1 (Togo)
Pya - Commune de Kozah 2 (Togo)

• Arab States

Al Daayen (Qatar)
Al Rayyan (Qatar)
Doha (Qatar)
Fayoum (Egypt)
Ifrane (Kingdom of Morocco)
Marrakech (Kingdom of Morocco)
Ras Al Khaimah (United Arab Emirates)
Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)
Yanbu Industrial City (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

• Asia and the Pacific

Canning (Australia)
Cao Lãnh (Viet Nam)
Guangzhou (People's Republic of China)
Hamedan (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Hat Yai (Thailand)
Hwaseong (Republic of Korea)
Nilambur (India)
Nonsan (Republic of Korea)
Phayao (Thailand)
Sejong (Republic of Korea)
Sukhothai (Thailand)
Thrissur (India)
Warangal (India)

• Europe and North America

Batumi (Georgia)
Braga (Portugal)
Brest (France)
Bursa (Turkey)
Derby (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Edmonton (Canada)
Girona (Spain)
Kirklees (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Kyiv (Ukraine)
Laško (Slovenia)
Lausanne (Switzerland)
Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Nanterre (France)
Netishyn (Ukraine)
Oss (The Netherlands)
Pallini (Greece)
Poltava (Ukraine)
Ptuj (Slovenia)
Reggio Calabria (Italy)
Reșița (Romania)
Sakarya (Turkey)
Sarcelles (France)
Satka (Russian Federation)
Trnava (Slovakia)
Ventspils (Latvia)
Yozgat (Turkey)

• Latin America and the Caribbean

Barranco (Peru)
Bluefields (Nicaragua)
Concepción del Uruguay (Argentina)
Envigado (Colombia)
General Escobedo (Mexico)
Granada (Nicaragua)
Juigalpa (Nicaragua)
La Estrella (Colombia)
Loja (Ecuador)
Pachuca de Soto (Mexico)
Querétaro (Mexico)
Salta (Argentina)
Tafí Viejo (Argentina)

The new UNESCO learning cities were added to the network following their nomination by the National Commissions for UNESCO in the concerned countries and the recommendations of a jury of experts. A strong commitment to lifelong learning by the mayor and city administration and a track record of good practices and policy initiatives are key prerequisites for becoming a learning city.

The 77 new members bring the total number of cities within the UNESCO GNLC to 294 in 76 countries.

About UNESCO learning cities

Connecting education, training and cultural institutions and engaging a wide range of partners such as public-sector representatives, civil society organizations and employers is a key feature of UNESCO learning cities. They effectively mobilize resources in every sector to promote inclusive and quality learning, from basic to higher education. They revitalize learning in families and communities and facilitate learning for and in the workplace while extending the use of modern learning technologies.

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