Cambodia Advances Kampot’s Bid for UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Status

KAMPOT, June 25, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia has moved closer to securing international recognition for Kampot’s culinary heritage by advancing the city’s nomination to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a Creative City of Gastronomy, officials said Wednesday.

The milestone came as Tourism Minister Huot Hak chaired the final consultation workshop on Kampot’s nomination dossier, attended by more than 200 participants, including representatives from UNESCO Cambodia, government ministries, provincial administrations, the private sector and national and international experts.

Hak described the workshop as more than a technical exercise, calling it a demonstration of Cambodia’s collective commitment to promoting cultural heritage, creativity and local identity on the global stage. He thanked UNESCO Cambodia, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Kampot Provincial Administration and other stakeholders for their collaboration, while recognizing the contributions of local artisans, producers, entrepreneurs and chefs in preserving Kampot’s culinary traditions.

The minister highlighted Kampot’s diverse tourism assets, from natural landscapes and French colonial architecture to internationally recognized geographical indication (GI) products such as Kampot pepper, salt and salt flower, fish sauce, durian and fresh seafood. “These valuable assets provide a strong foundation for developing Kampot as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy,” he said.

Hak noted that global tourism trends increasingly favor authentic cultural and culinary experiences. He said UCCN membership would enhance Kampot’s competitiveness, attract investment and promote sustainable local development.

If successful, Kampot would become Cambodia’s second city in the network after Battambang, designated a Creative City of Gastronomy in 2023, further strengthening the Kingdom’s reputation as a destination for culture, gastronomy and sustainable tourism.