Macau joins UNESCO gastronomy conference in Malaysia

Macau joined more than 400 city representatives, policymakers, scholars, chefs and culinary professionals at the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Annual Conference 2026 in Kuching, Malaysia, from Aug. 4-6.

Representing Macau, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) participated in discussions on preserving culinary heritage and promoting the sustainable development of gastronomic culture. The three-day conference featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, working meetings and site visits involving UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy from around the world.

According to a statement released by MGTO, the bureau shared Macau’s experience in preserving and innovating its culinary culture, while exchanging ideas with other member cities on sustainable and innovative approaches to gastronomic development.

The conference also provided an opportunity for Macau to prepare for the 10th anniversary of its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2027.

As part of a UNESCO Creative Cities Network community service book donation initiative, MGTO donated “Recipes with a Hope,” a cookbook featuring recipes contributed by local chefs, bakers and mixologists. The project uses culinary workshops to help rehabilitated participants develop skills and transform food into a means of promoting care and community support.

UNESCO designated Macau a Creative City of Gastronomy in 2017. The network currently has 66 Creative Cities of Gastronomy worldwide, including seven Chinese cities: Chengdu, Shunde, Macau, Yangzhou, Huai’an, Chaozhou and Quanzhou.