London, Ont. is Canada's first UNESCO City of Music

A City of London sign is seen in this undated file image. (File)

Middlesex Centre, Ont. — The Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the City of London have announced that the city has been designated a UNESCO City of Music -- the first in Canada.

“This designation reaffirms that London is an international hub for music and culture - home to incredibly talented artists, songwriters, producers, sound engineers, venue and festival operators and world-renowned music education programs,” London Mayor Ed Holder said in a statement.

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has designated 59 other Cities of Music in 90 countries as part of its 295-member Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which began in 2004.

Member cities share best practices and develop partnerships to promote creativity and cultural industries.

Just three other Canadian cities are part of the UCCN: Montreal in design, Quebec City in literature and Toronto in media arts.

Cory Crossman, London’s music industry development officer, said the designation was years in the making.

He tells CTV News London, “It's a renewed commitment to our music sector and it means that we are going to continue to drive and grow our music community, whether it be through live or recorded or education. It's a renewed focus on our music community on an international level.”

London is increasingly being recognized for helping develop award-winning talent through schools like Western University, Fanshawe College and the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology (OIART).

In 2014, London became the second municipality in Canada to approve a Music Strategy and then to hire a music industry development officer (in 2015).

Roda Muse, secretary general of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, said the organization salutes the effort made to achieve the prestigious designation.

“Given London’s first-hand knowledge of the role of culture in the municipal development context, its position as a hub of music education, and the broad support from its community, we are pleased to welcome a new partner that is contributing to the vitality of the local economy and advancing sustainable urban development."

Crossman says the designation will open doors in terms of cultural exchanges, work opportunities and conferences.

"London is now part of the largest cultural network in the world...It's just purely incredible to have a title like this, you know, that recognizes the work that we've been doing and to be recognized on an international level, you know, boasts quite a bit about what's happening here in London.”