WIPO Names Charleroi, Liverpool and Shanghai as First “City of Innovation” Award Winners

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) today named Charleroi (Belgium), Liverpool (United Kingdom) and Shanghai (China) as the first winners of its “City of Innovation” awards program that recognizes cities’ commitments to advancing innovation and creativity in their communities.

Metropolitan areas are increasingly important engines of economic growth: Urban areas are already home to about half of the world’s population and generate 80% of global GDP, with two-thirds of global population growth through 2050 projected to occur in cities.

Launched this year at the annual UN Forum of Mayors, the WIPO City of Innovation award recognizes cities pledging to create ecosystems that unlock the innovative and creative potential of their residents and inspire other municipalities to match their commitments. The 2026 winners’ pledges include plans to attract technology start-ups, develop digital and creative skills, expand intellectual property support and further involve communities in innovative activities.

Invention is a solo game but innovation is a team sport. This is partly why urban areas and cities have long been birthplaces of innovation and creativity – they connect ideas, communities and cultures together.   But connections in something as complex as innovation can’t be left only to chance: today’s cities should make efforts to nurture thriving IP, innovation and creative ecosystems. This Award recognizes cities making these efforts.

What will WIPO do to support them in implementing these pledges?

Winners gain international visibility at the award ceremony and among the global intellectual property community. WIPO will work with winning cities to document their initiatives and track the realization of their pledges which are meant to inspire other cities to use innovation and IP.. Together, the three winning cities form the first cohort of a network that will expand with each future award cycle.