72 cities from 46 countries join UNESCO’s global network of learning cities

UNESCO has welcomed 72 new cities from 46 countries into its Global Network of Learning Cities, recognizing their strong commitment to making the right to education a reality for people of all ages at the local level.

With this latest expansion, the network, which was launched in 2013, now includes 425 cities from 91 countries, collectively supporting lifelong learning opportunities for nearly 500 million citizens.

UNESCO Learning Cities are dynamic communities where learning is integrated into daily life – in schools, workplaces, libraries, homes, and public spaces. They create opportunities for everyone: reskilling and upskilling workers to meet changing job markets, providing literacy for those who missed early education, preparing citizens to navigate the AI era, and fostering entrepreneurial skills.

For example, in Porto-Novo (Benin), the Women’s Entrepreneurial Pathways Project combines literacy, vocational training, and microfinance to empower women in crafts and food processing. Lisbon (Portugal)’s City of Learning platform connects more than 120 partners to map out 1,200 learning opportunities across the city. Through its Secondary Learns Programme, Buenos Aires (Argentina) is transforming secondary education with personalized pathways and interdisciplinary learning, reducing dropout rates and preparing youth for the future.

Among the new members are 11 capital cities: Porto-Novo (Benin), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Lusaka (Zambia), Cairo (Egypt), Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Lisbon (Portugal), Ankara (Türkiye), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Hanoi (Viet Nam), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Caracas (Venezuela).

Additionally, 12 countries are joining the Global Network of Learning Cities for the first time: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Cyprus, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Mongolia, Niger, Turkmenistan, United States, Venezuela, and Zambia.

This expansion strengthens UNESCO’s efforts to promote lifelong learning and supports inclusive, sustainable education opportunities in cities around the world.

The complete list of newly designated UNESCO Learning Cities is available here.