From 28-30 October, city leaders from 45+ creative capitals, including Barcelona, Dubai, London, New York, Nairobi, Paris, Seoul, São Paulo and Sydney, will explore how culture can help build more human cities at a time of rapid change. 

As technology and AI reshape how people live, work and play, alongside the climate crisis, rapid urbanisation and geopolitical uncertainty, city leaders will explore how culture can move beyond a ‘nice to have’ to become essential infrastructure – building the trust, connection and belonging that cities need to thrive. 

The Summit opens at the Edo-Tokyo Museum, newly reopened in 2026 following a major renovation, with welcome addresses from Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike and Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Culture and the Creative Industries and Chair of the World Cities Culture Forum. 

Across three days, Summit sessions will tackle the key questions shaping cities today: how to keep artists in the city as creatives are priced out, how cultural tourism can work for residents and the planet, culture as soft power, scaling up arts and health initiatives, new models for funding, and the future of culture in the AI era. 

The Summit will see the launch of new research from World Cities Culture Forum in partnership with the British Council, A Region on the Rise: Culture and Creativity in Southeast Asia’s Cities, exploring cultural policy in Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Metro Manila. 

Insights will be shared from the third round of World Cities Culture Forum’s flagship Leadership Exchange Programme, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, which brings together 23 cities across seven exchanges happening in 2026 – from building resilient night-time economies and pedestrianising high streets to growing film cities and developing the silver economy. Since 2018, the programme has supported more than 285 cultural leaders from over 30 cities to adapt and scale proven policies through peer-to-peer learning. 

The Summit will also welcome 20 Global Fellows. Launched earlier this month by World Cities Culture Forum and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the Global Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind international programme designed to develop the next generation of cultural policymakers and civic leaders. 

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and Patron of World Cities Culture Forum, said: 

“As city leaders, there’s so much we can learn from one another. By sharing what works, we can protect our creative spaces, support the next generation of artists and makers, and make our cities places where culture belongs to everyone.” 

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Culture and the Creative Industries and Chair of the World Cities Culture Forum, said: 

“We are delighted that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will host the 15th World Cities Culture Summit in October. Our annual Summit brings together civic leaders from across our global network to share cultural policy solutions that improve lives and transform cities. Tokyo is a city where historic traditions meet cutting-edge creativity – from iconic districts, restaurants and festivals to globally influential film, architecture, fashion and digital media. Cities across our network can look to Tokyo for inspiration on how culture can support civic wellbeing and drive innovation while honouring the past.”