From 23^rd to 26^th November, the city will host the 'International Gastronomy Forum, Macao 2016', bringing to town members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and other experts to connect with and share their successful experiences, as Macao works to strengthen its gastronomical and cultural assets on its road to transforming the city into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.

Themed the 'Power of Gastronomy', the International Gastronomy Forum programme includes sessions discussing Creativity and Gastronomy, Sustainability of Gastronomy and Cultural Development, along with a Round Table at the Institute for Tourism Studies. Participants will also be invited to experience the 16^th Macau Food Festival, participate in a cooking demonstration, and embark upon a walking tour through the city's heritage districts to Anim'Arte Nam Van, all wrapped up by an evening tour of the city's new tourism complexes and other attractions.

Organized by Macao Government Tourism Office, speakers and participants expected to attend the International Gastronomy Forum include representatives from the China National Commission for UNESCO, along with city members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in Gastronomy - namely, Shunde and Chengdu (China), Jeonju (Korea), Phuket (Thailand), Parma (Italy), Dénia (Spain), Östersund (Sweden), Gaziantep (Turkey), Rasht (Iran), Zahlé (Lebanon), Belém and Florianopolis (Brazil) and Ensenada (Mexico), as well as the Creative City of Literature, Dunedin (New Zealand), representatives from the China Cuisine Association, as well as several experts. Over 200 delegates are expected to attend the event.