On World Cities Day 2025, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay designated 58 cities as new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), including New Orleans. Recognized for their commitment to championing creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development, these cities bring their proven expertise in building resilient and vibrant communities to the Network. With these designations, the Network now includes 408 cities in more than 100 countries, recognized for their commitment to creative industries and cultural life.

New Orleans has officially been recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Music, a distinction that honors its profound cultural legacy and far-reaching impact on global sound—from jazz and blues to bounce and rock and roll.

This milestone was achieved through years of collaboration among New Orleans & Company, the City of New Orleans and an advisory board that worked diligently to prepare the successful application submitted in March 2025.

Joining the global network not only recognizes the city’s musical heritage but also paves the way for new partnerships, cultural exchanges, and participation in UNESCO-led initiatives and international events.

Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, said the recognition reinforces the city’s global profile while creating new opportunities for local musicians and cultural ambassadors to connect with peers worldwide. Mayor LaToya Cantrell echoed the sentiment, noting that music is “the soul of our city” and that this honor will amplify the economic and social vitality of New Orleans’ creative industries.

Cultural leaders across the community also celebrated the announcement. Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, Big Chief of the Northside Skull and Bone Gang, called it an essential step in preserving and passing down the city’s musical and cultural traditions. Others, including Jacob Peters of the Bayou District Foundation and Alyssa Phares of Paducah’s UNESCO Creative City, praised the designation as a platform to deepen creative collaboration and strengthen international cultural ties.

This year’s update also introduced a new category—Architecture—joining the seven existing fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Media Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music. The 2025 designees include Kisumu (Kenya) and New Orleans for Music; Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for Design; Matosinhos (Portugal) and Cuenca (Ecuador) for Gastronomy; Giza (Egypt) for Film; Rovaniemi (Finland) for Architecture; Malang (Indonesia) for Media Arts; and Aberystwyth (United Kingdom) for Literature.

Together, these cities represent a diverse, global network committed to culture as a catalyst for inclusion, innovation, and sustainable development. For New Orleans, the designation ensures that its unmistakable rhythm—its sound, soul, and spirit—will continue to resonate with future generations around the world.