UfM Conference on Creative Economy Creative and Cultural Industries as Drivers of Sustainable Development Hotel Tirana International 4-6 November 2024

The cultural and creative sectors contribute 3.1% to global GDP and account for 6.2% of all employment, generating nearly 50 million jobs worldwide, particularly for young people

(UNESCO, 2022). In 2020, creative goods and services represented 3% and 21% of total merchandise and services exports, respectively (UNCTAD, 2022).

Beyond their economic impacts, these sectors also have significant social benefits, including supporting health and well-being, promoting social inclusion, and enhancing local social capital.

Given this, the UfM is dedicated to unlocking the full potential of the creative economy in the region through tangible initiatives with our partners. For example, the UfM co-organized the Conference on Creative and Cultural Industries with UNIDO (Algiers, 2017) as part of a UfM-

labeled project, as well as three editions of the Creative Forum in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia (2018, 2019, and 2021).

Building on these events, the UfM will partner with the Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania, the Municipality of Tirana and the Young Professionals Network of Albania to organize a Conference on Creative Economy in Tirana – Albania -, from 4 to 6

November 2024.

This event will serve as a prelude to Alexandria and Tirana becoming the first-

ever Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue in 2025.

The conference will bring together experts, creative entrepreneurs, creative hubs, and

representatives from public institutions and international organizations across the region to discuss the role of creative and cultural industries in enhancing the green transition.

In fact, creative and cultural industries significantly contribute to sustainability and the green transition through various innovative approaches such as eco-friendly fashion, upcycling waste,

raising environmental awareness, and implementing sustainable tourism practices and community-based initiatives.

The event will also provide an occasion to have an exchange on best practices and enabling policies on regional and national levels to maximize the positive impact of creative economy while creating a space for networking and peer-to-peer learning.

The following day, a field visit will be organized to the Creative Industries Agency of Tirana, which was established by the Municipality of Tirana during its tenure as the European Capital of Youth 2022.

The agency was created to promote innovation in art, culture, and technology.

This visit will offer an in-depth look at the agency’s mission, current projects, and upcoming initiative

For the interested in participating please register in https://forms.office.com/e/mQ3iUzKAZZ?origin=lprLink

Union for the Mediterranean Bashkia Tiranë Rrjeti i Profesionistëve të Rinj/ Young Professionals Network Ministria e Ekonomisë, Kulturës dhe Inovacionit