WIPO City Award
Launched for the very first time in 2026 by the World Intellectual Property Organization, this award recognizes visionary cities – not for what they have already accomplished – but for the bold pledges they make to foster innovation and creativity over the coming year. Open to cities across all 194 WIPO Member States, the award seeks to applaud mayors and city leaders who are committed to ignite change that will strengthen their local innovation landscape, unlock the creative potential of its citizens, and ensure meaningful participation in shaping their communities' future, while inspiring other municipalities to pursue similar transformative approaches.
The award provides an opportunity to spotlight cities that are beacons of innovation and creativity. It also serves to acknowledge all involved, whether you are a mayor championing your city’s creative future, or an innovator, startup, artist or community organization ready to work with city leaders and inspire participation.
Video: Celebrating cities committed to championing innovation and creativity
Meet the finalists
Cities of all sizes from across the globe submitted inspiring visions and bold pledges. Fifteen cities have emerged as finalists – each setting out its own vision and ideas for bringing people together to unlock the innovative and creative potential of its community.
International Jury Panel
Winners are selected through the deliberations and evaluation of an international independent jury panel comprised of high-profile individuals with extensive expertise in cultural and creative sector, urban planning, a profound understanding of communities and fostering innovation-driven development.
Solange Cesarovna
Singer Songwriter and Vice President, International Council of Music Creators, Cabo Verde
Andrea Dempster Chung
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Kingston Creative, Jamaica
Andrei Iancu
Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, United States
Elias Mouawad
Innovation & Foresight Strategist, United Arab Emirates
Eve Peeterson
CEO, Tallinn Business Incubator, United States
Yerbol Suleimenov
Independent Director, KIMEP University, Kazakhstan
Zhilei (Ray) Tong
Founder, Chairman and President, COL Group, China
Tatiana Molcean
Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Switzerland
Pamela Coke-Hamilton
Executive Director, International Trade Center (ITC), Switzerland
Selection process for the WIPO City of Innovation Awards
1. Applications open
2. Applications close
3. Announcement of the finalists
4. Award ceremony
Why should your city apply to become a WIPO City of Innovation?
Selected cities receive a comprehensive recognition package designed to maximize the impact of their pledges and provide lasting recognition of the city’s commitment to innovation excellence.
Selected cities receive a comprehensive recognition package designed to maximize the impact of their pledges and provide lasting recognition of their commitment to innovation excellence.
- Trophy: Winners receive a symbolic, specially crafted trophy.
- International spotlight: Cities gain exposure at the award ceremony and city representatives have the opportunity to network with innovation policymakers and the international intellectual property (IP) community. Travel expenses are covered for one city representative.
- Professional content creation: WIPO’s expert media team will work with you to document your city’s innovation initiatives in action and how pledges are being realized. The resulting content, if suitable, will be featured on select WIPO platforms and made available for your own use.
- Permanent city recognition: Winners receive the exclusive right to produce and display the official commemorative WIPO City of Innovation plaque in their cities. WIPO provides complete design specifications, while cities retain full discretion over placement and installation to maximize local impact and visibility.
WIPO City of Innovation trophy symbolism
The WIPO City of Innovation trophy symbolizes the transformative power of urban innovation through the elements of fire and water. Fire represents the spark of innovation – the technological ingenuity that transforms cities – and water reflects how creativity makes it possible to navigate around barriers and find new paths to filling every void, gradually shaping our community’s landscape and cultural identity. Rising from a foundation of natural stone – a symbol of cities’ enduring strength – fire and water come together as a dynamic whole, a testament to cities that embrace transformation through the interplay of bold innovation and a sustained creative vision.