UNESCO Creative City of Music Daegu Global Forum 2026

Daegu Builds Global Connections for the Next Decade of Music and Creativity

The City of Daegu successfully hosted the 2026 UNESCO Creative City of Music Daegu Global Forum on October 1–2 at EXCO, welcoming more than 100 participants from 15 cities across eight countries for two days of dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and cultural exchange.

Now in its ninth year, the forum explored the theme “Harmony for the Future: Moving Beyond Growth Toward Unity.” Representatives of UNESCO Creative Cities and cultural professionals shared experiences, showcased local initiatives, and discussed ways to build lasting partnerships. With 2027 marking the 10th anniversary of Daegu’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music, the forum also provided an opportunity to reflect on the city’s achievements and look ahead to the next decade. The participation of cities from diverse creative fields, including music, design, and film, further encouraged dialogue across disciplines.

The programme opened with the UNESCO Creative Cities Workshop, featuring a keynote address by Professor Han Geon-su of Kangwon National University, a UNESCO Chair on GCED and Cultural Diversity. On the second day, the main forum featured a keynote address by Hong Hyun-ik, Secretary-General of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, followed by presentations from cities including Hannover, Kobe, Abu Dhabi, and Busan. Discussions explored opportunities for artist exchanges, joint projects, and long-term collaboration through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Beyond the conference sessions, participants experienced Daegu’s cultural heritage and vibrant urban life through visits to Donghwasa Temple on Palgongsan Mountain and Dongseong-ro, as well as a traditional hanbok experience. They also attended Carmen, the opening performance of the 23rd Daegu International Opera Festival, gaining firsthand insight into the city’s rich performing arts scene.

As Daegu approaches its 10th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Music in 2027, the city will continue to strengthen ties with Creative Cities around the world and create more opportunities for artists and citizens to engage with music and culture. Building on the connections and ideas shared at this year’s forum, Daegu looks forward to fostering a more collaborative creative community and working with cities worldwide toward a shared future.

Watch the highlights video to revisit moments from the 2026 UNESCO Creative City of Music Daegu Global Forum: Watch the video on YouTube.