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BEIJING, Sept. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

With the theme of "Creativity empowers cities, technology creates the future",

the Third UNESCO Creative Cities Beijing Summit, organized by Beijing Municipal

Science and Technology Commission, explored how culture, creativity, and

technology can enhance urban city management. The summit participants stressed

the importance of international cooperation across regions.

"Digitalization has been a major game-changer and will certainly remain a key

component of a new normal," said Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director of the OECD

Centre for Entrepreneurship, Small & Medium Enterprises, Regions and Cities.

"Many cities have adopted smart city tools, especially to deliver municipal service.

"Cities also have the opportunity to reconsider their tourism growth models and

explore alternatives to large-scale tourism, by taking advantage of technology

to showcase over-visited global attractions and promoting local industries."

Since Beijing was designated a UNESCO City of Design in 2012, its creative

industry has become a new source of economic growth. The transformation of

Shougang No. 3 Blast-Furnace - the venue of this summit - from a steel

structure in an industrial park into an open space for the public, closely

aligns with UNESCO's mission and priorities.

Advocating for an open and inclusive city cooperation environment, many leaders

stressed the importance of international cooperation during the summit.

Virginia Raggi, Mayor of Rome, stated, "We focus on urban regeneration as a

factor in improving the well-being of residents and tourists, and strongly

believe in international collaboration. Multilateralism and reciprocity

represent the founding values of our democracy."

"If something was clear to all of us, it is that 'no one can be saved alone',"

said Enrique Avogadro, Minister of Culture of the Government of the City of

Buenos Aires. "We have a unique opportunity to build a new reality and a future

different from the one we had in mind. And more importantly, we can do it

collectively, listening and giving space to all voices and ideas."

About the Third UNESCO Creative Cities Beijing Summit

The third UNESCO Creative Cities Beijing Summit is held in Beijing during

September 17-18, 2020. The summit provides an international platform for

discussion and networking, bringing together a diverse set of urban

stakeholders, including Mayors and policymakers, representatives from UN

agencies, academics and experts, as well as innovators and entrepreneurs. For

more information, click http://shejiyun.net/.

SOURCE  Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission