The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) today announced 15 finalist cities for the first WIPO City of Innovation award, recognizing forward-looking city pledges to foster innovation and creativity and unlock the potential of local communities.
Cities of different sizes and from across the world responded to WIPO's call with proposals, reflecting the diverse ways in which innovation and creativity can contribute to urban development and improve people's lives.
Their pledges span a wide range of approaches: From emerging technologies and new models of public service delivery, to support for creators and entrepreneurs, the preservation and development of cultural heritage, and new opportunities for citizens to participate in shaping solutions for their communities.
The 15 Finalists
- Charleroi, Belgium
- Shanghai, China
- Jaipur, India
- Thiruvananthapuram, India
- Amman, Jordan
- Bergish Municipality/Irbid, Jordan
- Astana, Kazakhstan
- Rabat, Morocco
- Tetouan, Morocco
- Echague, Philippines
- Municipality of Caldas da Rainha, Portugal
- Moscow, Russian Federation
- Mueang Lamphun, Thailand
- Roi Et, Thailand
- Liverpool, United Kingdom
Meet the 15 finalists and discover their visions and pledges.
About the WIPO City of Innovation Award
The WIPO City of Innovation Award recognizes cities that commit to creating enabling environments in which innovation and creativity can flourish.
Through bold vision, strategic planning and well-designed policies, cities can bring together innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, institutions and communities, while using intellectual property to help protect ideas and enable promising solutions to grow. Applicants were invited to put forward a vision for their city's innovation and creative ecosystem together with concrete pledges to advance that vision over a 12-month period.
The International Jury
The finalists will now be considered by an independent international jury bringing together high-profile experts with extensive experience across the cultural and creative sectors, urban development and planning, communities and innovation-driven development.
Meet the Jury Members to the WIPO City of Innovation award.
The winning cities will be announced on October 12, 2026, at the WIPO City of Innovation Award Ceremony at WIPO headquarters in Geneva.