The Moroccan city of Essaouira will host the UNESCO Creative Cities Conference in 2026. This decision was made following an online vote by the network's participating cities, in which Essaouira received the most votes.
This will be the first time the annual conference will be held in an African and Arab city. Essaouira, recognized as a Creative City of Music since 2019, is known for its cultural festivals, such as Gnaoua, World Music, and Jazz sous l’Arganier.
The conference will focus on sustainable policies and measures in the cultural and creative industries at the local level. It will contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 11 — to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The event will also continue the course set by the Mondiacult 2025 World Conference on Cultural Policy and Sustainable Development.