When would you visit?

This Travel Tuesday takes us to the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama in Japan ❄️🏠 Set in a remote mountain valley, these villages are known for their rare Gassho-style houses, with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. For centuries, families lived and worked here, cultivating mulberry trees and raising silkworms to produce silk. The villages of Ogimachi, Ainokura and Suganuma remain remarkable examples of communities perfectly adapted to their natural environment and way of life. 📍 Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, they are a powerful example of heritage protected for the people who call these villages home. Learn more: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/734

*UNESCO has designated Medellín, Colombia, as the World Book Capital for 2027!* The city saw a 542% rise in bookstores over the past seven decades, leading the country’s national reading index. The designation follows the recommendation of the World Book Capital Advisory Committee, composed of booksellers, publishers and authors. Read the full press release: https://unes.co/4lyhh9

*Creativity drives economies and connects communities. But the digital shift is also putting creators at risk.* A new UNESCO report warns that creators could face global revenue losses of up to 24% by 2028. The latest edition of Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity explores how AI, digital transformation, changing trade dynamics and threats to artistic freedom are reshaping the cultural landscape. Drawing on data from 120+ countries, the report calls for stronger policies to protect creators and tackle growing inequalities in the creative industries. 📖 Discover the report: https://www.unesco.org/en/reshaping-creativity-reports

*Global water crisis aggravated by gender inequalities according to new UN Report* Despite decades of progress, inequalities continue to compromise global water security, disproportionally impacting women and girls, who despite of being the main collectors of water, continue to be excluded from water management and leadership roles. This is the conclusion of the United Nations World Water Development Report, published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water. The report reveals that women are responsible for collecting water in over 70% of unserved rural households. Read the full press release: https://unes.co/z8bk0x

In this month’s Snapshots, we focus on UNESCO’s commitment to fostering girls and women’s empowerment, and building more efficient, well-funded learning environments. See the difference a shared commitment with partners is making across Africa, in Palestine, in Indonesia, and beyond. Join us in advancing ideas that inspire smarter solutions and drive meaningful impact worldwide: https://www.unesco.org/en/brief/snapshot

*UNDER ANTARTICA EXPEDITION: the first kite-ski expedition supporting polar science* In this new episode of Tête-à-tête, glaciologist Dr. Heïdi Sevestre and explorer Matthieu Tordeur recount their expedition to Antarctica, sharing key scientific insights on the fragile cryosphere and its role in regulating our planet. On World Glaciers Day, their message resonates with urgency and hope. 🎥 Watch the full conversation: https://youtu.be/6LngZfhRInw