News

UNESCO expresses its solidarity with the firefighters and the authorities of the Republic of Korea who have been facing unprecedented fires in recent days. In view of the heavy human toll, the Organisation also extends its most sincere thoughts to the victims and their families. As part of its mandate, UNESCO has been monitoring the damage to heritage and culture. These forest fires have ...

The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples (UNVFIP) has extended its mandate to support the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives in the World Heritage Committee, starting with the 47th session to be held at UNESCO Headquarters from 6 to 16 July 2025. This is a significant development that marks a milestone in the ongoing engagement of Indigenous Peoples with the ...

In an era of rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and tourism growth, World Heritage properties across Africa face unprecedented challenges in protecting and managing their outstanding values. The inherent demand for socio-economic transformation often places immense pressure on these heritage properties, highlighting the urgent need harmonize economic growth and heritage ...

Today marks the first-ever International Day of Glaciers' Preservation, designated by the United Nations within the framework of the 2025 International Year of Glaciers' Preservation, an initiative co-facilitated by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). From now on, 21 March will serve as a powerful reminder of the crucial role that glaciers play in maintaining the delicate ...

An innovative mechanism to control the water table in the baptistery of the Church of Atlantida, an emblematic work by the engineer Eladio Dieste, has been presented. UNESCO and the Municipality of Canelones presented an innovative mechanism to control the water table in the baptistery of the Atlantida Church, an emblematic work of the engineer Eladio Dieste. This initiative seeks to ...

On 11 March 2025, UNESCO and the Quanzhou Municipality, People's Republic of China, signed an agreement launching the China Funds-in-Trust (Quanzhou) for Capacity-Building on World Heritage in Africa. This significant initiative was marked by an online signing ceremony, reaffirming a strong commitment to support African Member States in preserving and managing their rich cultural and natural ...

On 5 March 2025, the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee met to discuss the venue of the forthcoming 47th session of the World Heritage Committee scheduled to take place on 6 to 16 July 2025. Upon request from the Bulgarian authorities, the Bureau has agreed to organize the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, from 6 to 16 July 2025. As ...

The Liaison Group of the Biodiversity-related Conventions stresses the contribution of biodiversity to national economies, livelihoods, human health and food security. The Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions, a long-standing network uniting the executive heads of the eight biodiversity-related conventions, met at FAO Headquarters in Rome, in advance of the resumed CBD COP16. ...

Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the World Heritage Centre (WHC), shares a message for World Wildlife Day 2025. play_arrow play_arrow Watch Today, World Wildlife Day is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect and conserve biodiversity. Around the globe, countless plant and animal species face unprecedented threats, with many on the brink of extinction. ...

UNESCO convened an expert meeting to identify actions to harness the World Heritage Convention in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The meeting confirmed the relevance of the World Heritage Convention to almost all of the 23 global targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework and made recommendations for further action, which will be presented to the World ...

UNESCO is working with Cameroon's Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) to promote community-based sustainable tourism and conservation activities around UNESCO World Heritage sites in Cameroon. Cameroon has two natural sites on the World Heritage List: the Dja Faunal Reserve, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987, and the Lobeke National Park which is part of the Sangha ...

The Historic Naval Hospital of Port Royal in Jamaica, a vital heritage site surrounded by a 19th-century sea wall, is threatened by coastal erosion, storm surges, and ship traffic. At the request of Jamaican national authorities and with the generous support of the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust, a new project has been launched to address these challenges. The Historic Naval Hospital of Port ...

The Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention set forth the procedures for the protection and conservation of World Heritage properties, the inscription of properties on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, the granting of International Assistance under the World Heritage Fund, and the mobilization of national and international ...

UNESCO has opened submissions for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, recognizing outstanding conservation efforts across the region. The Awards celebrate private sector projects and public-private partnerships that demonstrate excellence in preserving historical sites while fostering community engagement. Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural ...

It is with deep sadness that UNESCO has learned of the passing of Professor Christophe Mbida Mindzié. He passed away on January 15, 2025.  Professor Christophe Mbida Mindzié was an eminent researcher and an ardent defender of Africa's tangible and intangible heritage. Professor Christophe Mbida Mindzié was a key figure in heritage preservation and a leader in cultural management in ...

Recent archaeological breakthroughs in Pompeii, home to the UNESCO World Heritage property ‘Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata’ continue to unveil astonishing new insights into Roman civilization. This World Heritage property, inscribed in 1997, includes the ancient towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, along with notable villas such as the Villa of the Mysteries, ...

Celebrated annually on 2 February, World Wetlands Day aims to raise global awareness of the vital role of wetlands for people, nature and culture. This year’s theme, ‘Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future’, reminds us of the benefits wetlands provide for biodiversity and human wellbeing. Wetlands are among the world’s most productive ecosystems and critical for wildlife preservation. ...

From Borneo to Tikal, from Longyearbyen to Puerto Toro, UNESCO is calling on communities around the world to celebrate and protect some of the planet’s most stunning cultural landscapes. Nominations are now open for the UNESCO-Greece Melina Mercouri International Prize for the Safeguarding and Management of Cultural Landscapes. This prestigious award honours the deep connections communities ...

In response to the deteriorating security situation at the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, World Heritage Property, the States Parties of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger have agreed to strengthen their cooperation to improve the management and protection of the property through an “Initiative to support the sustainable management of the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex”. Financed by the Norwegian government’s ...

In response to the deteriorating security situation at the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, World Heritage Property, the States Parties of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger have agreed to strengthen their cooperation to improve the management and protection of the property through an “Initiative to support the sustainable management of the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex”. Financed by the Norwegian government’s ...