KOTA BHARU: Kuching’s journey as Malaysia’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy took centre stage at the ‘Festival Cita Rasa Warisan di Pantai Timur’, where Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor, Dato Wee Hong Seng was invited as a distinguished panellist.
Dato Wee spoke at a sharing session titled ‘The Road to UNESCO – Kota Bharu as a Creative City of Gastronomy’, where he outlined Kuching’s transformation since being accorded UNESCO recognition in 2021.
He highlighted how culture, heritage, and gastronomy have been woven into the city’s urban development, tourism growth, and creative economy strategies.
“Being recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is only the beginning. The real responsibility lies in empowering local communities, preserving heritage recipes, strengthening food supply chains, and ensuring no one is left behind,” he said.
Dato Wee underscored Kuching’s commitment to global cultural agendas such as the Braga Manifesto and Mondiacult 2025, supported by a four-year action plan involving hawkers, youth, artisans, and tourism operators.
Initiatives included integrating gastronomy branding into Visit Malaysia campaigns and hosting cross-border culinary exchanges, positioning Kuching as a hub for cultural diplomacy and sustainable tourism.
These programmes have drawn more than one million visitors annually during food festivals, generating significant benefits for local communities.
Youth engagement, he added, remains central to Kuching’s approach, with training focused on digital marketing, food safety, and documenting heritage recipes to preserve traditional cuisines for future generations.
“This inclusive and sustainable model offers valuable lessons for Kota Bharu and other Malaysian cities aspiring to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network,” he said, noting that Kota Bharu’s ambition presents a timely opportunity to showcase Malaysia’s diverse culinary heritage on the global stage.
Dato Wee also announced that Kuching will bid to host the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in 2026, which would bring together representatives from 63 cities worldwide. -UKASnews
