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Kujataa Greenland: Norse and Inuit Farming at the Edge of the Ice Cap (Denmark)
 

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Earth Day 2018: End plastic pollution
Thursday, 19 April 2018
Rubbish and pollution are a problem at many World Heritage sites. Increased tourism means that more people are leaving trash at the world’s most iconic sites, so we need to learn to visit sites without leaving a trace behind. Marine pollution is also a problem at many World Heritage sites, where waste—including plastics—wash up on the beach. Birds, turtles and marine mammals get entangled in ...
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18 April: Celebrating young people on the International Day for Monuments and Sites
Wednesday, 18 April 2018
18 April 2018 is the International Day for Monuments and Sites with the theme: Heritage for Generations. If our heritage is what we leave behind for future generations, we need to prepare young people to protect it—and the best way is through education. The World Heritage Education Programme gives young people around the world the chance to learn about their heritage, and to be a part of ...
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Scout Guidelines for youth empowerment towards World Heritage
Wednesday, 18 April 2018
UNESCO and World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) signed an agreement to cooperate by developing activities in order to raise awareness and mobilize young Scouts to participate in World Heritage conservation and promotion. As a main result of this agreement, WOSM produced the “World Scouting-UNESCO World Heritage Recognition Programme Guidelines” in collaboration with the UNESCO ...
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#MyAfricanHeritage – Participate in the African World Heritage Day photo contest
Monday, 16 April 2018
Specially conceived for young people between the ages of 18 and 28, #MyAfricanheritage is an Instagram contest aiming to promote the exceptional cultural and natural heritage of the African continent. Each participant will post a photo of an African site inscribed on the World Heritage List along with a brief description of the site’s significance to the participant and his/her personal ...
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Geneva Declaration ‘Human Rights and Culture Heritage: Committed Cities Working Together’ adopted
Friday, 13 April 2018
The Geneva Declaration ‘Human Rights and Culture Heritage: Committed Cities Working Together’ was adopted in Geneva, Switzerland on 26 March 2018, marking the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration aims to clarify cities’ obligations in the area of cultural heritage rehabilitation, particularly in relation to intentionally destroyed cultural heritage. ...
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Around 100 youth from across Kenya participated in the First UNESCO National Youth Workshop on Culture and Heritage in Kenya
Tuesday, 10 April 2018
The Kenyan National Commission for UNESCO organized a three-day workshop from 26 to 28 March 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya in order to increase youth engagement in the conservation and promotion of World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage. As a State Party to three important UNESCO Conventions in the field of Culture, Kenya has made the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, ...
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UNESCO condemns killing of six guards in Virunga National Park
Tuesday, 10 April 2018
The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, today condemed the deadly attack perpetrated on 9 April against the staff of the Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, during which six guards and their driver lost their lives. “I condemn this deadly attack on six guards of the Virunga National Park and their driver. I call on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take all the ...
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Ramsar Workshop “The Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Wetlands – Supporting the integration of nature and culture in their governance and management” at the International Academy for Nature Conservation of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation
Thursday, 5 April 2018
The conservation of wetlands does not only contribute to the safeguarding of biodiversity, it can also support the safeguarding of their cultural and spiritual values. The workshop “The Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Wetlands Supporting the integration of nature and culture in their governance and management” organised by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) in ...
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Experts build new dynamic for the conservation and revitalization of the Kasbah of Algiers
Thursday, 5 April 2018
The International Meeting of experts on the Conservation and Revitalization of the Kasbah of Algiers, a World Heritage Site, organized by the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO jointly with the Algerian Ministry of Culture, took place from 20 to 23 January 2018 in Algiers, Algeria. It gathered 200 participants, including key actors of the conservation of the Kasbah of Algiers, international ...
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Towards a World Heritage Policy Compendium – Second meeting of the Working group takes place at UNESCO Headquarters
Wednesday, 28 March 2018
From the 13th to the 15th of March 2018, the World Heritage Policy Compendium Working Group met for the second time at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The meeting was organised in follow-up to the first meeting of the group (December 2017, Paris) and on completion of the Policy Compendium Online Consultation, which was carried out in February and March 2018. The Policy Compendium initiative, ...
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Online Consultation on the World Heritage Policy Compendium with States Parties, Category 2 Centres and Civil Society is successfully completed
Wednesday, 28 March 2018
In February and March 2018, the World Heritage Centre carried out an online consultation with key World Heritage stakeholders on the first draft of the World Heritage Policy Compendium. The consultation gathered feedback and comments from key World Heritage stakeholders including States Parties to the World Heritage Convention. For the first time, the online consultation included also UNESCO ...
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Call for Applications: 3rd African World Heritage Regional Youth Forum 2018
Monday, 26 March 2018
‘Mainstreaming youth perspective and involvement in conservation and sustainable development of African World Heritage’ The 3rd African World Heritage Regional Youth Forum 2018 under the theme of ‘Mainstreaming youth perspective and involvement in conservation and sustainable development of African World Heritage’ will take place from 30 April to 3 May 2018 in the World Heritage site of the ...
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World Water Day 2018: ‘Nature for Water’
Thursday, 22 March 2018
Water is essential to life; no living organism can survive without it. We need water for human survival, and water is critical for sustaining healthy ecosystems, which provide a wide range of benefits to people. World Heritage sites include a large variety of landscapes, from wet tropical rainforests to arid deserts. Mountains inscribed on the World Heritage List provide water to thousands ...
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2017-2018 World Heritage Map Published
Thursday, 22 March 2018
The latest version of the World Heritage map, produced by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and National Geographic Maps with the generous support of the Kingdom of Bahrain, can now be ordered from the World Heritage Centre website. The featured image on the map presents the Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy World Heritage property in Bahrain, country hosting the next session of the ...
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State of Conservation of Aldabra Atoll
Thursday, 22 March 2018
The World Heritage Centre has taken due note of concerns expressed by numerous citizens and NGOs regarding the recent agreement signed between Seychelles and India to establish a naval base on Assumption Island, located some 27 km from Aldabra Atoll World Heritage property (Seychelles). UNESCO appreciates the commitment of these stakeholders to the safeguarding of this World Heritage ...
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International Day of Forests 2018: Forests and Sustainable Cities
Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Forest ecosystems are home to the vast majority of the world’s terrestrial species, but they are also under the greatest pressure from human activities. Ranging in size from the Vallée de Mai, Seychelles (18 hectares), to Lake Baikal, Russian Federation (8.8 million hectares), World Heritage forest sites have a total surface area of over 75 million hectares, or 1.5 times the surface area of ...
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Women's Day 2018: Women and conservation
Thursday, 8 March 2018
Women's Day is an occasion to celebrate the power of women, and the often overlooked role they play in society. World Heritage preservation is no different from any other sector - women play a crucial role in conservation, and their influence is increasing. Women are the caretakers of the sacred site the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda). Female rangers protect Virunga National Park ...
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Release of the publication World Heritage for Sustainable Development in Africa
Wednesday, 7 March 2018
This new UNESCO publication examines World Heritage and sustainable development in Africa. It addresses not only the challenges of safeguarding World Heritage in the Africa region but also the process of integrating the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into African regional and national policies as well as the African Union’s ‘Agenda 2063: the Africa We ...
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Seminar leads to Recommendations for Site Managers
Tuesday, 6 March 2018
A Capacity-Building Seminar was held in Vilnius, Lithuania from 18 to 20 October, 2017, for Managers of Eastern European sites. The practical Capacity-building Seminar took place over two days, during which were presented three thematic lectures given by international experts from World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS, ICCROM, accompanied by three leading practical workshops and individual case ...
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UNESCO launches BIOPALT project to safeguard Lake Chad
Monday, 5 March 2018
The UNESCO Deputy Director-General, Getachew Engida, officially launched the BIOsphere and Heritage of Lake Chad (BIOPALT) project at the International Conference on Lake Chad, held on 26 February 2018. The BIOPALT project aims to increase knowledge of Lake Chad, restore wetlands, rehabilitate wildlife migration corridors and promote sustainable income-generating activities in Abuja, Nigeria. ...
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Protecting Big Cats: World Wildlife Day 2018
Saturday, 3 March 2018
Natural World Heritage sites are home to a great many species, which makes taking care of these sites even more important. This year for World Wildlife Day, we celebrate the 'big cats', predators who play a primordial role in the ecosystems in which they live, and many of whom are under threat. Of the 36 wild species of cat that exist in the world, 35 occur in at least one World Heritage ...
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World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2018 - Call for Applications
Friday, 2 March 2018
World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2018 ‘Protecting Heritage in an Ever-Changing World’ As an integral part of the 42nd session of the World Heritage Committee, and in the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities will host the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2018 under the theme of ‘Protecting Heritage in an ...
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Qatar Fund for Development boosts UNESCO’s Heritage Emergency Fund with US $2 million contribution
Friday, 2 March 2018
The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and UNESCO signed a new agreement this week to supplement the financing of UNESCO’s Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) with US$2 million. “More than ever, we need to respond quickly and efficiently to assess, secure and safeguard threatened heritage, said UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay “The Heritage Emergency Fund is a key tool for doing this and I ...
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World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia
Friday, 23 February 2018
In January 2018, a joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission took place at the World Heritage property “Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia” (Federated States of Micronesia). The mission was requested by the World Heritage Committee to ‘agree on a Desired State of Conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger ...
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UNESCO expresses concern over the state of conservation of Selous Game Reserve (United Republic of Tanzania)
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Over the last six months, the World Heritage Centre (WHC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have received numerous reports expressing concern about the decision of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to move forward with the construction of a hydropower dam at Stiegler's Gorge, located within the Selous Game Reserve World Heritage property. The ...
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre expresses support after Cyclone Gita
Thursday, 22 February 2018
Cyclone Gita, which accelerated into a category five storm, struck the Pacific country of Tonga, battering the Parliament House and other buildings, and parts of southern Fiji. Mechtild Rössler, Director of the World Heritage Centre, would like to express her condolences to the families who have endured losses during the storm. Two sites, Lapita Pottery Archaeological Sites and The Ancient ...
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UNESCO Commits to Safeguarding Lake Chad
Thursday, 22 February 2018
UNESCO will bring a preservation project focusing on research and the dissemination of knowledge, the rehabilitation of wetlands and wildlife corridors, and the promotion of sustainable income generating activities to the International Conference on Lake Chad, which will take place in Abuja (Nigeria) from 26 to 28 February. Known as BIOPALT, the French acronym for biosphere and heritage of ...
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UNESCO launches flagship initiative to revive the spirit of Mosul
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
On the occasion of the International Conference on the Reconstruction of Iraq, held in Kuwait City from 12 to 14 February, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay today announced the launch of a flagship initiative to revive the spirit of Mosul. The objective, to coordinate international efforts in this direction. A starting point for a broad strategic plan to promote the spirit of peaceful ...
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Launch of an Online Consultation on the World Heritage Policy Compendium with States Parties, Category 2 Centres and Civil Society
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
The World Heritage Centre has launched an online consultation with key World Heritage stakeholders on the first draft of the World Heritage Policy Compendium. The consultation, which is taking place in February and March 2018, will gather feedback and comments from key World Heritage stakeholders on the draft Policy Compendium, currently being developed by a Working Group of cultural and ...
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State of conservation of Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
Thursday, 8 February 2018
In February 2018, a joint UNESCO/ICOMOS/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission will take place to the World Heritage property “Historical Monuments of Mtskheta” (Georgia), as requested by the World Heritage Committee to assess current conditions at the property. The World Heritage property of the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994 and on the List of ...
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Spearheading a global conservation movement: Marine World Heritage 2018 annual report
Tuesday, 6 February 2018
On the heels of one of the hottest years on record, the protection of our precious ocean gems is more urgent than ever. Fortunately, we are seeing a rising tide of activism to meet the challenge. Over the past year, governments, non-profit leaders and experts from across the planet are increasingly working together to safeguard World Heritage marine sites. Download the Report Over the past ...
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Earth Skills Network training opportunities for African protected areas: Closing date 24 February 2018
Tuesday, 6 February 2018
The Earth Skills Network (ESN) is a unique collaboration between Earthwatch, UNESCO, IUCN and the business community. It connects leaders from the business and conservation community through mentoring and skill-sharing opportunities. The Earth Skills Network provides funded training in: business planning and effective management practices and, personal development of leadership ...
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World Heritage Centre Director, Mechtild Rössler, pays tribute to Léon Rajaobelina
Friday, 2 February 2018
Léon Rajaobelina is considered a pioneer in the preservation of African natural world heritage, in Madagascar and throughout the continent.  He was active in the defense of protected areas and biodiversity throughout his life and worked for International Conservation for twenty years, eventually becoming a Regional Vice-President.  During this period, in 2005, he contributed to the creation ...
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World Wetlands Day 2018: Wetlands and cities
Friday, 2 February 2018
“Wetlands for a sustainable urban future”Message from Mechtild Rössler, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, for World Wetlands Day 2018 In focusing on the theme “wetlands for a sustainable urban future”, this year’s World Wetlands Day sheds light on the importance of wetlands for cities. Today, 50% of the world’s population live in urban areas. Forecasts expect the urban population ...
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Joint workshop between UNESCO and FAO GIAHS to strengthen synergies on agricultural heritage
Friday, 2 February 2018
On 25 January 2018, a joint workshop between UNESCO and FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) was organized with the World Heritage Centre at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to share experiences and explore areas of cooperation in the field of agricultural heritage. The workshop brought together cross-sectoral actors contributing to the safeguarding of heritage with ...
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Job vacancy: African World Heritage Fund Executive Director
Wednesday, 31 January 2018
The African World Heritage Fund is a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO and an inter-governmental organization based in South Africa with a specific mandate of implementing the UNESCO 1972 Convention concerning the protection and promotion of world cultural and natural places in Africa. The organization seeks to appoint an Executive Director in Johannesburg, South ...
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Panasonic World Heritage 2018 Calendar in paper, online and tablet PC app formats now available
Monday, 29 January 2018
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Panasonic Corporation have released the 2018 World Heritage calendar. Featuring stunning photographs of World Heritage sites from around the world, this popular calendar can be used in paper, online and tablet app versions. UNESCO and Panasonic have been creating wall calendars since 1995 and a web version since 2010. The wall calendar includes brief ...
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World Rowing commits to UNESCO World Heritage sites
Friday, 26 January 2018
The World Rowing Federation, FISA, is the first global sports body to pledge a commitment to protecting World Heritage sites. The commitment has developed out of World Rowing’s Clean Water partnership with WWF International and is part of WWF’s global campaign to strengthen the protection of natural World Heritage sites. World Rowing recognizes that large sporting events can have a negative ...
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State of Conservation of Pirin National Park
Wednesday, 24 January 2018
The World Heritage Centre currently receives numerous messages from civil society concerning the state of conservation of the World Heritage property Pirin National Park. The competent authorities of the Republic of Bulgaria as well as the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Body IUCN are fully informed of the concerns raised. At its 40th session in 2016, the World Heritage Committee ...
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Davos Declaration a step forward for European urban heritage
Tuesday, 23 January 2018
On 21 and 22 January 2018, European Ministers of Culture met in Davos, Switzerland, to adopt a Declaration promoting the concept of a high-quality Baukultur in Europe. This step forward is congratulated by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, particularly as urban heritage on the World Heritage List exceeds 40% of the total sites. The adoption of the Declaration, which specifies guidelines for ...
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Experts develop UNESCO tool for managing tourism
Thursday, 18 January 2018
In an effort to improve tourism management at World Heritage sites, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre convened an expert meeting on the development of a new and innovative tool for tourism and visitor management. Experts participating in the meeting hosted at the UNESCO HQ in Paris 15-16 January 2018 included representatives from UNESCO, the Advisory Bodies (IUCN, ICOMOS, ICCROM), site ...
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Director of World Heritage Centre welcomes oil moratorium at Belize Barrier Reef
Tuesday, 9 January 2018
In a historic decision for marine conservation efforts, the Government of Belize has adopted a full oil moratorium for all Belize offshore waters, including the entire Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage site.  The Belize reef system is the second largest reef system in the world, with approximately 200,000 Belizeans dependent on the reef for their livelihood. “The World ...
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Happy New Year 2018
Saturday, 30 December 2017
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Sweden provides additional support to UNESCO’s Cultural Conventions and freedom of expression
Friday, 22 December 2017
In addition to its generous annual contributions under the Programme Cooperation Agreement (2014-2017), the Government of Sweden decided in November 2017 to provide additional financial support to UNESCO in the amount of  SEK 3,200,000  (around USD 400,000) to strengthen the protection of heritage, as well as to promote independent, free and pluralistic media. The contribution will ...
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‘Delhi Declaration on Heritage and Democracy’ adopted at closing session of ICOMOS 19th General Assembly
Thursday, 21 December 2017
The ‘Delhi Declaration on Heritage and Democracy’ was adopted at the closing session of the ICOMOS 19th General Assembly in New Delhi, India, on 15th December 2017, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium-Auditorium in New Delhi, India. The Delhi Declaration emphasized the understanding that people's perspective is central to heritage, and the General Assembly declared that ethical principles have to ...
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Towards a World Heritage Policy Compendium – First Meeting of Experts takes place at UNESCO Headquarters
Tuesday, 19 December 2017
The first meeting of the World Heritage Policy Compendium Working Group took place at UNESCO Headquarters from 6 to 7 December 2017. The Policy Compendium initiative, which will see the development of a consolidated source of World Heritage policies for use by the World Heritage Committee, States Parties and other stakeholders, is being implemented through financial support received from the ...
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Inter-Regional Workshop held in Pakistan: “World Heritage and Sustainable Development: The Role of Local Communities”
Monday, 18 December 2017
An inter-regional workshop entitled “World Heritage and Sustainable Development: the Role of Local Communities” was organized at the National Museum in Karachi, Pakistan (23-24 November 2017) by the World Heritage Centre in close co-operation with the UNESCO office in Islamabad and the Department of Archaeology of the Government of Sindh Province, Pakistan. The Workshop, opened by the ...
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UNESCO and UNWTO Sign Muscat Declaration on Tourism and Culture: Fostering Sustainable Development
Wednesday, 13 December 2017
Culture, in all of its wondrous expressions, inspires more than 1.2 billion tourists to pack a bag and cross international borders each year.  It is an important means to promote inter-cultural dialogue, create employment opportunities, curb rural migration, and nurture a sense of pride among host communities. Yet unmanaged, it can also harm the very heritage cultural tourism relies ...
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Mechtild Rössler, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, gives Opening Address at 19th ICOMOS General Assembly
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
The triennial meeting of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), taking place in New Delhi, India from 11-15 December 2017, began with the Scientific Council Meeting on 11 December in the India International Centre, New Delhi. The Opening Ceremony of the ICOMOS General Assembly was held on 12 December 2017 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium-Auditorium in New Delhi. The ...
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Message from Mechtild Rössler, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, for International Mountain Day
Monday, 11 December 2017
International Mountain Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003 and celebrated on 11 December, highlights the importance of mountains to life on Earth. The theme for 2017, “Mountains under Pressure: climate, hunger, migration”, draws our attention to some of the most critical challenges that mountains and people living in mountain areas are currently facing. It also ...
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre participates in Annual Meeting of the International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes
Friday, 8 December 2017
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is participating in the Annual Meeting of the International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes in New Delhi, India, on 7–8 December 2017, ahead of the 19th ICOMOS General Assembly (11–15 December 2017). Organized by the International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes ICOMOS-IFLA (ISCCL) and ICOMOS India, this two-day ISCCL Annual Meeting ...
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Inter-Convention synergy in action
Wednesday, 6 December 2017
The first joint STAB/ICOMOS Advisory Mission to a World Heritage property was carried out within the framework of the World Heritage Convention and the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. The World Heritage property "Ancient City of Nessebar" (Bulgaria) hosted an Advisory Mission invited by the Bulgarian authorities and carried out jointly by experts of the ...
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The World Heritage State of Conservation Information System – 5 Successful Years !
Tuesday, 5 December 2017
Five years ago, on 5 December 2012, the World Heritage State of Conservation Information System was publicly launched. This database offers a trove of reliable information on the state of conservation of natural and cultural World Heritage properties since 1979 and the threats they have faced in the past, or are currently facing. The State of Conservation Information System currently ...
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Meeting held on Heritage and Environmental Impact Assessment (HIA/EIA)
Tuesday, 5 December 2017
On 5 December 2017, the World Heritage Centre, Europe and North-America Unit organized a meeting on Heritage and Environmental Impact Assessment (HIA/EIA) at UNESCO Headquarters, with the support of the French Ministry of Ecology. It was a follow up to Decision 39 COM 7.11 on HIA and EIAs adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015) and to the side events organized ...
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Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict Grants Enhanced Protection to Angkor
Thursday, 30 November 2017
At the request of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, meeting at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris from 29 to 30 November 2017, granted “enhanced protection” status to Angkor, a cultural World Heritage site.   Enhanced protection is a mechanism established by the 1999 Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention for the ...
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Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre welcomes expansion of Mexican ocean reserve
Tuesday, 28 November 2017
Mechtild Rössler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, welcomes the initiative by the Government of Mexico to create a vast ocean reserve spanning 150,000 sq km around the Revillagigedo islands, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. The establishment of the reserve follows the request of the World Heritage Committee when inscribing the Archipiélago de Revillagigedo on ...
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South Sudan prepares a conservation and management plan for Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape that considers its potential World Heritage values
Monday, 27 November 2017
Just a month after the submission of South Sudan’s first ever Tentative List of potential UNESCO World Heritage sites, UNESCO hosted a workshop on 23 November 2017 in Juba in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in order to guide the State Party in the preparation of a ...
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The UNESCO World Heritage Centre participates in a workshop on sustainable tourism development in Slovakia: enhancing livelihoods for local communities
Friday, 24 November 2017
22nd November – 24th NovemberOrganized by the State Nature Conservancy, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Slovak Commission for UNESCO and Carpathian Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, this three day workshop focused on the development of sustainable tourism for the UNESCO World Heritage Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the ...
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Message of the Director of the World Heritage Centre at the occasion of the 45th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention
Thursday, 16 November 2017
On 16 November 2017, we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, one of the most powerful international tools for heritage preservation and one of UNESCO's most successful programmes. Almost universally adopted, with 193 signatory countries, the Convention is unique in combining the protection of cultural and natural heritage in one legal instrument. Since its adoption ...
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World Heritage Committee’s 42nd session to be hosted by Bahrain
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
The Government of Bahrain, newly elected member of the World Heritage Committee, will host the 42nd session of the World Heritage Committee from 24 June to 4 July 2018, in Manama, Bahrain. The Chair of the Committee, Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, is an international lawyer who served as Bahrain’s first female ambassador when she became Ambassador to France (1999 to 2004) and was the third ...
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UNESCO welcomes the support for the “No-Go Commitment” in the new investment policy of the Church of England National Investing Bodies
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
On 6 November 2017, The Church of England National Investing Bodies announced the launch of its new policy on investing in extractive industries: “Extractive Industries: Ethical Investment Policy”. The policy acknowledges the positive contribution than mining can make to development but also highlights the ethical importance of protected areas such as World Heritage Sites and the threats that ...
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Twelve new members elected to World Heritage Committee
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
The 21st General Assembly of the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention is meeting on 14 and15 November 2017 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, convening the 193 States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, under the chairmanship of H.E. Mr Adrian Cioroianu, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Romania to UNESCO. During the session, the General Assembly elected twelve new ...
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World Heritage Volunteers 2018 – Call for Projects
Saturday, 11 November 2017
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the Call for Projects for the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Campaign 2018. This Call welcomes the participation of all interested organisations and institutions. In addition, it offers a new opportunity to apply for not only one-year cycle, but also two-year cycle process, with the aim to foster and encourage the commitment to World ...
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International Criminal Court and UNESCO Strengthen Cooperation on the Protection of Cultural Heritage
Monday, 6 November 2017
Recognizing the importance of protecting cultural heritage from attack in times of conflict, Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, and Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), today signed a Letter of Intent formalizing and further enhancing their collaboration. The signing of the Letter of Intent took place in the margins of an international high-level panel ...
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UNESCO and Partners stand against Cultural Cleansing and Violent Extremism
Monday, 6 November 2017
On the occasion of UNESCO’s General Conference, an international high-level panel on 6 November 2017, brought together Ministers from Iraq and Mali, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and international experts to strengthen cooperation in response to cultural cleansing and violent extremism. Opening the panel, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, highlighted the ...
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Oil and gas industry body recommends companies to take into consideration the “no go commitment” in a new report
Friday, 3 November 2017
In a recent publication on the  SDG, the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) recognizes that many World Heritage sites are impacted by industrial activities and operations, including oil and gas exploration and extraction.  The report on Mapping the oil and gas industry to the Sustainable Development Goals: an Atlas was co-authored with the United ...
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UNESCO and the Principality of Monaco sign strategic partnership in favour of Marine World Heritage
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Paris, 1 November 2017 – The Principality of Monaco announced the signature of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the activities of the World Heritage Marine Programme. The announcement follows an initial cooperation earlier this year that led to the identification of potential new World Heritage marine sites in the Arctic region. The UNESCO World Heritage List currently includes ...
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Heritage experts meet to examine update of World Heritage policy on climate change
Friday, 27 October 2017
An international expert workshop took place from 16 to 20 October 2017 at the International Academy for Nature Conservation in the Baltic Sea island of Vilm, in Germany, to discuss the challenges posed by climate change to the conservation and management of World Heritage sites. The meeting was funded by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and organized in cooperation with IUCN, ...
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World Heritage Committee launches Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting
Tuesday, 24 October 2017
On 10 July 2017, during its 41st session in Krakow, Poland, the World Heritage Committee officially launched the Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting while also adopting the revised format of the Periodic Reporting questionnaire and endorsing the recommendations of the Periodic Reporting Reflection Expert Group. The decision taken by the Committee sets out the timetable for reporting in each ...
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Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Convention (BLG) gathers to discuss ways to join forces
Wednesday, 18 October 2017
On 28-29 September 2017, the Heads of eight bio-diversity-related Conventions, known as the Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions (BLG), met at FAO Headquarters to discuss ways to join forces in support of global biodiversity and sustainable development agendas. “We all recognize that the loss of biodiversity has clear ramifications for global food security and nutrition,” said ...
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UNESCO and ICCROM Join Forces to Protect Cultural Heritage
Monday, 16 October 2017
Paris - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) signed a landmark agreement on Friday 13 October in a new effort to address mounting threats to cultural properties worldwide. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at UNESCO’s ...
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South Sudan overcomes challenges of ongoing conflict to designate potential World Heritage sites
Sunday, 15 October 2017
On 3 October 2017, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Republic of South Sudan submitted three heritage sites to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to be included on its first ever Tentative List of potential World Heritage sites: Sudd Wetlands (Mixed Natural/Cultural site); Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape (Natural site); and DeimZubier Slave Route Site (Cultural ...
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UNESCO technical meeting and International Symposium on “The Future of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues: Technical Considerations and Potential Effects on Authenticity and Outstanding Universal Value”
Wednesday, 11 October 2017
On 27-30 September 2017, UNESCO, together with the Government of Afghanistan and Tokyo University of the Arts, convened a three-day closed technical meeting followed by a public Symposium in Tokyo, Japan, entitled “The Future of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues: Technical Considerations and Potential Effects on Authenticity and Outstanding Universal Value”. Funded by the Government of Japan within ...
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UNESCO and the State Hermitage Museum join forces to protect heritage in conflict areas
Tuesday, 10 October 2017
On 9 October, Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, and Prof. Mikhail Borisovich Piotrovskiy, General Director of the State Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation), signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the protection and restoration of cultural property in conflict areas, notably in the Middle East. Under this agreement, the State Hermitage Museum will provide ...
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Call for Applications for Mediterranean Cultural Projects 2018
Tuesday, 10 October 2017
The Marc de Montalembert grant - 7000 euros - helps young people from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and below 28 years of age to undertake a project corresponding to a personal vocation and dedicated to the cultures or arts and crafts of the Mediterranean. Since 1994 the Foundation has provided financial support to 27 projects undertaken by young grant winners from 8 Mediterranean ...
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Georgian delegation visits UNESCO’s Headquarters and World Heritage properties in France
Friday, 6 October 2017
From 17 to 23 September 2017, UNESCO welcomed representatives from Georgia to discuss protection of World Heritage properties. The tour was part of a Technical Assistance project by UNESCO to Georgia within the framework of the Agreement signed between UNESCO and Georgia in 2015. This Cultural heritage advisory service by UNESCO is implemented with financial support from the World Bank. The ...
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Ramsar and World Heritage: lasting cooperation to foster conservation
Thursday, 5 October 2017
Gland, Switzerland – Conservation of cultural and natural values can highly benefit from dual designations under the Ramsar and World Heritage conventions, finds a new report released today. “Ramsar and World Heritage Conventions converging towards success” illustrates through six case studies the benefits and challenges of managing wetland ecosystems and gives examples on how community ...
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Conservation completed on Lion of Al-lāt statue from ancient city of Palmyra, damaged by ISIL
Thursday, 5 October 2017
The 2000-year old statue Lion of Al-lāt, that once watched over the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria, stands proudly once again, thanks to UNESCO’s Emergency Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural Heritage project. The limestone lion, also known as the Lion Statue of Athena, measuring 345 centimetres and weighing 15 tons, once marked and protected the entrance to the temple of Al-lāt. Since its ...
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“World Heritage Coral Reefs” Exhibit opens in Paris
Tuesday, 3 October 2017
3 October 2017 – A stunning exhibit of the world’s most iconic coral reef systems opened today at the Aquarium of Paris. The display sheds light on the condition of these coral reef systems inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Through a series of photos, virtual reality experiences, films and educational activities for children, the exhibit will raise awareness of the unique diversity ...
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Youth from Caribbean SIDS and Central American Countries Develop Tourist Guides for Coiba National Park in Panama
Tuesday, 3 October 2017
Fourteen young people, with common interests in marine biodiversity and climate change, developed two tourist guides for the Coiba National Park in Panama, in the framework of the World Heritage Youth Project on Marine Biodiversity and Climate Change that was organized in January 2016 by the World Heritage Centre in cooperation with MarViva Foundation. The creation of tourist guides was ...
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[in French only] Atelier régional sur le processus de proposition d’inscription de sites culturels sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial
Tuesday, 3 October 2017
[in French only] Le Centre du patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO, et l’Organisation arabe pour l’éducation, la culture et les sciences (ALECSO), ont organisé un atelier de formation pour les pays du Maghreb sur le processus de préparation de proposition d’inscription sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial, à Djerba en Tunisie du 11 au 15 septembre 2017. Cet atelier régional a été rendu possible ...
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Message from the Director of the World Heritage Centre on World Tourism Day
Wednesday, 27 September 2017
World Tourism Day is an opportunity to recognize the importance of sustainable tourism as a tool for intercultural dialogue, peace building and economic development. The United Nations’ International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 has focused its efforts on promoting tourism as a catalyst for positive change. For UNESCO, tourism presents both opportunities and challenges. ...
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State of conservation of the World Heritage Property "Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites" (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Tuesday, 26 September 2017
The World Heritage Centre has received numerous messages from citizens and NGOs expressing their concerns regarding the announcement by the United Kingdom’s government of the preferred route and tunnel, to widen the highway A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down that runs across the World Heritage property “Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites”. The World Heritage Centre is fully ...
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Working across borders to protect Eastern Tropical Pacific gems
Tuesday, 26 September 2017
For decades, UNESCO has worked to protect cultural and natural treasures on land and sea by facilitating cooperation across borders. World Heritage is built on the premise that some places are so special that all of humankind should work together to protect them. This spirit of international cooperation has been evident among World Heritage marine sites in the Eastern Tropical Pacific for ...
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Ministries and customary owners discuss future East Rennell World Heritage site
Tuesday, 26 September 2017
From 16 to 18 August 2017, about 80 people met in Honiara, Solomon Islands, to discuss the future of the East Rennell World Heritage site. The Government, together with the customary owners, is currently striving toward the removal of the site from the List of World Heritage in Danger by 2021. This meeting was a first step to discuss the future work plan with heads of Ministries, local ...
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Preliminary evaluations undertaken following earthquakes in Mexico
Monday, 25 September 2017
Another earthquake struck the region of Oaxaca, Mexico on Saturday 23 September, further devastating a region where more than 400 people have been killed by two other powerful earthquakes this month. The Mexican authorities are carrying out coordinated actions at the federal, state and municipal levels and with the inhabitants of the affected regions to prepare a comprehensive and precise ...
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UNESCO’s Director General calls on all parties to cease violence and to protect the World Heritage Site of Sabratha in Libya
Friday, 22 September 2017
On 21 September, UNESCO was informed by several sources that military action is intensifying within and around the Archaeological Site of Sabratha in Libya, inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1982. According to reports, military action is growing within and around the property. In view of this situation, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, calls on all parties to cease ...
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UNESCO Convenes International Symposium on “The Future of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues: Technical Considerations and Potential Effects on Authenticity and Outstanding Universal Value” 
Friday, 22 September 2017
On 27-29 September 2017, UNESCO will convene a three-day technical symposium in Tokyo, Japan, entitled “The Future of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues: Technical Considerations and Potential Effects on Authentic and Outstanding Universal Value”. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the potential reconstruction of the Buddha statues in the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan), which were ...
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Director of World Heritage Centre’s Message on the occasion of European Heritage Days 2017
Friday, 15 September 2017
Since 1984, the European Heritage Days have provided an open access to cultural heritage, allowing anyone and everyone to get involved with the continent’s rich past - from chateaux to archives, 17,000 monuments and sites will open their doors, with 25,000 different events happening. The European Heritage Days are the most widely celebrated participatory cultural events shared by the citizens ...
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Assessment of damage from hurricane Irma to cultural heritage underway
Friday, 15 September 2017
The UNESCO Heritage division extends its condolences to the residents of the Caribbean islands struck by hurricane Irma between 5 and 11 September 2017, for the loss of human lives and the hardship resulting from the devastation. The first priority after such a disaster is always rescuing people and providing humanitarian aid. Following that, UNESCO is in close contact with local ...
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Workshop on the South Asian Silk Roads Serial Transnational World Heritage Nomination Process
Tuesday, 12 September 2017
About 60 participants from China, Nepal, ICOMOS and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre participated in a Workshop on the South Asian Silk Roads Serial Transnational World Heritage Nomination Process, Xi’an, China, 5-7 September 2017 organised by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) of China, Xi’an Municipal People’s Government and the ICOMOS ...
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The Netherlands Funds-in-Trust to UNESCO supports the development of a Management Plan for Boma National Park in South Sudan
Monday, 11 September 2017
Following its ratification of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in 2016, South Sudan is now preparing its Tentative List of World Heritage sites, which includes Boma National Park. The Netherlands Funds-in-Trust to UNESCO has granted USD 32,000 to the Republic of South Sudan to support the development and finalisation of a conservation and management plan for Boma National Park in view of ...
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Ugandan youth are at the centre of the reconstruction process at Kasubi Tombs World Heritage Site in Danger
Monday, 11 September 2017
Following the fire that ravaged the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi World Heritage property in 2010, the site was added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger. The local community of the Buganda Kingdom have been working hand-in-hand with the Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities with support from UNESCO to rebuild the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga building, which houses the ...
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Central Asian Sub regional meeting (13-14 September 2017) and training-workshop (12-20 September 2017) along the Silk Roads in Central Asia, Uzbekistan
Thursday, 7 September 2017
In the framework of the 2nd phase of the UNESCO/Japanese Funds-in-Trust project on “Support for Documentation Standards and Procedures of the Silk Roads World Heritage Serial and Transnational Nomination in Central Asia”, the World Heritage Centre and the UNESCO Office in Tashkent in cooperation with the Principal Department for the Preservation and Utilization of Cultural Objects of the ...
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Another fire at the historical Museum’s crafts centre of the Royal Palaces of Abomey (Benin)
Tuesday, 5 September 2017
During the night of 28 to 29 August, a fire broke out in the crafts centre of the historical Museum of Abomey, located within the Royal Palaces of Abomey’s court, destroying numerous stands of craftsmen. The fire was caused by a short circuit around 1:30 am in the crafts centre of the historical Museum of Abomey. It destroyed thirteen of the twenty-eight stands intended for the exhibition ...
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International Workshop on Heritage Impact Assessments for Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System, Santiago de Chile, 7-10 August 2017
Thursday, 31 August 2017
Within the framework of the project “Support to the reinforcement of the participative management structure of the Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System”, a workshop entitled “Heritage Impact Assessments International Workshop” took place in Santiago de Chile from 7 to 10 August 2017. This meeting organized by  the National Center of World Heritage Sites of the National Subdivision of Heritage ...
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Third Meeting of European World Heritage Associations, 5 and 6 October 2017
Tuesday, 22 August 2017
The 3rd Meeting of European World Heritage Associations will take place in the Hanseatic City of Lübeck from 5 to 6 October 2017. It is being organized by the German World Heritage Sites Association, the German Commission for UNESCO and Lübeck & Travemünde Marketing GmbH, and features as its theme “Sharing World Heritage”. Following the launch of the initiative in Strasbourg in 2015 and ...
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UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre deplores the death of Wayne Lotter, renowned elephant conservationist and anti-poaching activist
Tuesday, 22 August 2017
The World Heritage Centre has learned with great sadness of the recent passing  of Wayne Lotter, courageous defender of natural heritage and wildlife, who was attacked by a gunman in Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania) on 16 August 2017.  The Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Dr. Mechtild Rössler, presents her sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the renowned elephant ...
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Reactive Monitoring Mission to "Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve"
Friday, 18 August 2017
On 12 August 2017, a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission arrived on Wrangel Island (Russian Federation). Together with Herald Island and a vast ocean territory, Wrangel Island forms part of the World Heritage property “Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve”, which is the northernmost site inscribed on the World Heritage List. Francesco Bandarin, Assistant ...
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Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Youth Day
Saturday, 12 August 2017
Youth Building Peace The world has never been so young and it is getting younger every day. The development of any society depends on how well it nurtures its young women and men, how well they are supported. In 2015, there were 1.2 billion young people in the world, and more than 600 million lived in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Young people carry the heaviest burdens of ...
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World Heritage Centre expresses condolences for victims of earthquake in China
Thursday, 10 August 2017
The Director of the World Heritage Centre expresses her deep condolences at the loss of lives and destructions caused by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck China’s southwestern province of Sichuan on Tuesday 8 August. According to initial reports, the epicentre of the earthquake in southwestern Sichuan province was in the mountainous Jiuzhaigou County, which includes the Jiuzhaigou ...
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Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Wednesday, 9 August 2017
This year, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the landmark UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. This is an opportunity to honour the rights of indigenous peoples and their unique contribution to achieving mutual understanding, peace and sustainable development. Indigenous peoples are custodians and practitioners of unique cultures and relationships with the natural ...
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Tubbataha Reefs protected from international shipping impacts
Tuesday, 25 July 2017
The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (Philippines) has been officially designated as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)—and an “area to be avoided”—by the International Maritime Organization. The endorsement is a major breakthrough, as it will require international vessels to avoid the World Heritage site, reducing the impact of noise and pollution, and decreasing the risk of future ship ...
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State of Conservation of “Białowieża Forest”
Thursday, 20 July 2017
Over the last several months, the World Heritage Centre has received numerous messages from citizens and NGOs expressing their concerns regarding logging activities within the Polish part of the transboundary World Heritage property “Białowieża Forest” (Belarus/Poland). The competent authorities of the State Party of Poland as well as the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Body IUCN are ...
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Close of World Heritage Committee session in Krakow, after inscription of 21 new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Wednesday, 12 July 2017
Krakow, Poland, 12 July—The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Krakow since 2 July, closed its annual session today. During the session, the Committee inscribed 21 new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It also extended or modified the boundaries of five sites already on the List. The new inscriptions bring to 1,073 the total number of sites on the World Heritage List. Angola and ...
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Partners for World Heritage meet in Krakow during 41st Committee Session
Wednesday, 12 July 2017
A World Heritage partners event and panel discussion, sponsored by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, took place on the 7th of July in Krakow on the occasion of the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee. The Partners' event, for the fourth consecutive year, provided a platform for discussing private sector partners’ contributions to World Heritage conservation and promotion ...
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Gelati Monastery, Georgia, removed from UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger
Monday, 10 July 2017
Krakow, Poland, 10 July—The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Krakow since 2 July, has decided to remove Georgia’s Gelati Monastery from the List of World Heritage in Danger. A decision adopted on Sunday, introduced a major reduction in the boundaries of the Georgian site of f Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994 and on the List in Danger in ...
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Three new sites and two extensions added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Sunday, 9 July 2017
Krakow, Poland, 9 July—The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Krakow since 2 July, this afternoon ended the inscription of sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List with the final addition of three cultural sites in Brazil, Turkey and the United Kingdom, and the approval of the extensions of Strasbourg: from Grande-île to Neustadt, a European urban scene (France) and The Bauhaus and its Sites ...
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Eight new sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Sunday, 9 July 2017
The World Heritage Committee meeting in Krakow since 2 July today inscribed cultural sites in Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, Poland, and the Russian Federation, along with one that spans Croatia, Italy and Montenegro. The sites added, in order of inscription are: Historic City of Yazd (Islamic Republic of Iran) The City of Yazd is located in the middle of the Iranian plateau, 270 ...
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‘Marketplace for World Heritage’ launched at an event held during the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee
Sunday, 9 July 2017
On 7 July, the new donor platform Marketplace for World Heritage went live on the World Heritage Centre website. The webpage was launched at an event held during the 41st World Heritage Committee, which is currently taking place in Krakow, Poland. Participants attending the World Heritage Committee were invited to explore this innovative new platform, which showcases global priority projects ...
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Sites in Cambodia, China and India added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Saturday, 8 July 2017
Krakow, Poland, 8 July—The World Heritage Committee this afternoon inscribed three cultural sites in Cambodia, China and India. The sites added, in order of inscription are: Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura (Cambodia) The archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk, “the temple in the richness of the forest” in the Khmer language, has been identified as ...
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Three sites in Angola, Eritrea and South Africa added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Saturday, 8 July 2017
The World Heritage Committee this morning inscribed three cultural sites in Angola, Eritrea and South Africa. With these inscriptions, Angola and Eritrea make their first entries to the World Heritage List. The sites added, in order of inscription are: Mbanza Kongo, vestiges of the capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo (Angola) The town of Mbanza Kongo, located on a plateau at an altitude ...
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World Heritage Committee inscribes three natural sites and one extension on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Friday, 7 July 2017
Krakow, Poland, 7 July—The World Heritage Committee, in this afternoon’s session, inscribed natural sites in Argentina and China on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as well as a transboundary site in Mongolia and the Russian Federation. It also approved the extension of the World Heritage site of the Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany, which now ...
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World Heritage Committee inscribes new site and approves extension of existing site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Friday, 7 July 2017
The World Heritage Committee meeting in Krakow has inscribed Hebron / Al Khalil Old town (Palestine) and W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (Benin, Burkina Faso) on the World Heritage List during its morning session. The Committee simultaneously added the site of Hebron / Al Khalil to the List of World Heritage in Danger. The new sites in order of inscription are: Hebron / Al Khalil Old ...
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Historic Centre of Vienna inscribed on List of World Heritage in Danger
Thursday, 6 July 2017
Krakow, Poland, 6 July—The World Heritage Committee has inscribed the Historic Centre of Vienna on List of World Heritage in Danger due to high-rise projects in the middle of the Austrian capital. In its decision, the Committee regrets that the Vienna Ice-Skating Club—Intercontinental Hotel project fails to comply fully with previous Committee decisions, notably concerning the height of new ...
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Ethiopian World Heritage site, Simien National Park no longer in danger
Tuesday, 4 July 2017
Krakow, Poland, 4 July—The World Heritage Committee meeting in Krakow has decided to remove Simien National Park from the List of World Heritage in Danger in recognition of improvements in its management and of measures taken to reduce overgrazing and visitor impact. The World Heritage Committee welcomed Ethiopia’s commitment in building an alternative road to alleviate the disturbance of ...
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The World Heritage site of Comoé National Park in Côte d’Ivoire no longer in danger
Tuesday, 4 July 2017
Krakow, Poland, 4 July—The World Heritage Committee meeting in Krakow since 2 July has decided to take Comoé National Park, the Ivorian World Heritage site, off the List of World Heritage in Danger following improvements in the conservation of its fauna and habitat. In its decision, the World Heritage Committee congratulated Côte d’Ivoire for its work to fight poaching. It noted that ...
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Annual Meeting of World Heritage Committee opens in Krakow
Monday, 3 July 2017
The opening ceremony of the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee took place on 2 July at the Royal Palace of Wawel in Krakow, Poland, in the presence of nearly 1,000 people, among them the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, and other leading personalities. The Committee will be in session until 12 July. Notable speakers at the opening included the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina ...
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Almaty Manifesto on Sustainable Tourism Adopted During Silk Roads Sub-Regional Meeting
Friday, 30 June 2017
The Central Asian Silk Roads sub-regional meeting “Reinforcement of Sub-Regional Management Coordination and Knowledge: Sustainable Tourism and Development Initiatives”, was held in Almaty on 24 May 2017 and fifty participants attended. The participants came from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and included experts, representatives and officers in the field of heritage ...
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New Publication: The Application of the Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) in Cuenca, Ecuador
Wednesday, 28 June 2017
“The application of the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape in Cuenca, Ecuador - A New Approach to Cultural and Natural heritage” collects the research project “Reassessment of the cultural and natural heritage of the city of Cuenca departing from sustainable development strategies supported by the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape” (PUH_C project). This project ...
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World Heritage Young Professional Forum 2017 launched in Poland
Monday, 26 June 2017
Under the theme <Memory: Lost and Recovered Heritage>, the World Heritage Young Professional Forum 2017 was launched in Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland on 25 June. 32 selected participants from 32 different countries will take the opportunity to visit Warsaw and Krakow during 25 June to 4 July 2017,  to exchange ideas, contribute to the discussions and immerse themselves in topics within ...
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International Workshop on Preservation of Stone Structures of Qhapaq Ñan, Ecuador
Friday, 23 June 2017
The international workshop “Strengthening of the capacities of national and local teams in the preservation of the stone structures of Qhapaq Ñan” was held from 21 to 23 June 2017 in the municipality of Alausí, Ecuador. The workshop was the second activity conducted within the framework of the project “Support of the strengthening of the participatory management system of the Qhapaq Ñan, ...
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Assessment: World Heritage coral reefs likely to disappear by 2100 unless CO2 emissions drastically reduce
Friday, 23 June 2017
Today, UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre released the first global scientific assessment of climate change impacts on World Heritage coral reefs. Soaring ocean temperatures in the past three years have subjected 21 of 29 World Heritage reefs to severe and/or repeated heat stress, and caused some of the worst bleaching ever observed at iconic sites like the Great Barrier Reef (Australia), ...
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The Director-General of UNESCO deplores the destruction of the Al Hadba Minaret and Al Nuree Mosque in Mosul
Thursday, 22 June 2017
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, deplores the destruction of the Al Nuree Mosque and Al Hadba Minaret in Mosul. “The Al Hadba Minaret and Al Nuree Mosque in Mosul were among the most iconic sites in the city, and stood as a symbol of identity, resilience and belonging. When Daesh targeted the mosque and minaret a few month ago, the people of Mosul formed a human chain to protect ...
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World Heritage Committee to Meet in Krakow, Poland, from 2 to 12 July
Friday, 16 June 2017
The World Heritage Committee will assess the nomination of 34 sites for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List during its 41st session, which will be chaired by Jacek Purchla, founder and director of the International Cultural Centre in Krakow, the Polish city that will host the session from 2 to 12 July. This year’s nominations for inscription on the World Heritage List number seven ...
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2017 State of conservation reports now publicly accessible online
Monday, 12 June 2017
At its 41st session to be held in Krakow, Poland, from 2 to 12 July 2017, the World Heritage Committee will examine the state of conservation of 154 World Heritage properties.  The full reports on these properties are now publicly available through the World Heritage Centre’ State of conservation Information System at the following Web address: https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc As part of the ...
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Nakhon Phanom Statement on World Heritage of Religious Interest in Asia-Pacific Region
Friday, 9 June 2017
From 17 to 19 May 2017, thanks to the support of the Thai Government, the International Consultation Workshop on World Heritage of Religious Interest focused on Asia-Pacific Region was organized within the framework of the UNESCO Initiative on Heritage of Religious Interest. The meeting was attended by the States Parties’ representatives from Kingdom of Bhutan, People’s Republic of China, ...
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Children call on world leaders to save the ocean, launch #My Ocean Pledge campaign at World Oceans Day event
Thursday, 8 June 2017
New York, NY – 8 June. HSH Prince Albert of Monaco II was the first to sign The Ocean Pledge launched by youth from UNESCO World Heritage Marine sites at the United Nations. He was joined by, Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO as well as Adrian Grenier United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment. The pledge, which reads ‘I pledge to protect the ocean for future ...
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World Heritage Centre Statement on the Greater Blue Mountains Area
Wednesday, 7 June 2017
The World Heritage Centre has taken due note of the concerns expressed by various stakeholders concerning the Western Sydney Airport project, located in the vicinity of the World Heritage property ‘Greater Blue Mountains Area (Australia) and appreciates their commitment to the safeguarding of World Heritage. In the framework of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, and in line with its ...
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Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Environment Day, 5 June 2017
Monday, 5 June 2017
Connecting People with Nature It may seem hard to believe now, but, fifty years ago, it was thought the best way to protect nature was to make it off-limits to the human population… Today, we know better. We now know that the closer the relationship between people and their natural environment the more likely people are to appreciate the importance of nature and its biodiversity, heritage ...
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Symposium “Rallying for the protection of culture and heritage in SIDS under a sustainable 21st-century climate change agenda”
Wednesday, 31 May 2017
From 29 to 31 May 2017, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES) of Jamaica, in cooperation with UNESCO Kingston and the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO, hosted a three-day Symposium and workshop on the impacts of climate change on World Heritage in the Caribbean under the theme "Rallying for the protection of culture and heritage in SIDS under a sustainable ...
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Completion of the Testing Phase of the Revised Format of the Periodic Reporting Questionnaire
Sunday, 28 May 2017
From April to May 2017, the World Heritage Centre carried out a Testing Phase of the revised format of the Periodic Reporting questionnaire. Over 40 State Parties volunteered to test the revised questionnaire for content and usability. Feedback collected during this exercise is being used in the finalization of the revised questionnaire, prior to the presentation of its format to the World ...
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Workshop held for the “Formulation of the axes of the plan for safeguarding the intangible heritage associated to Qhapaq Ñan”
Sunday, 28 May 2017
From 24 to 26 May 2017, in La Paz, Bolivia, in the framework of the project “Support to the reinforcement of the participative management structure of the Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System” and with the financial support of UNESCO/ Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage, the Ministry of Cultures and Tourism of Bolivia, organized the international workshop for ...
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Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May 2017
Monday, 22 May 2017
Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism For more than 70 years, UNESCO has been working to foster scientific knowledge and cooperation on biodiversity and ecosystems, such as tropical forests, oceans, mountains. In recent years, the effect of human activities -- magnified by population growth and global climate change -- has reduced deeply biodiversity in ecosystems around the world. We need to ...
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Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, 21 May 2017
Sunday, 21 May 2017
Just as natural diversity is vital to sustain ecosystems, cultural diversity is the lifeblood of vibrant societies. Cultural diversity provides fresh ideas and perspectives that enrich our lives in countless ways, allowing us all to grow and thrive together. A culturally diverse classroom is not only more inclusive, it boosts student learning and achievement. A culturally diverse workplace is ...
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UNESCO Celebrates International Museum Day with the Global Museum Community
Thursday, 18 May 2017
Celebrated each May, this year’s International Museum Day theme, “Museums and contested histories: Saying the unspeakable in museums”, highlights the essential role of museums as promotors of the free flow of ideas and knowledge, contributing to a more informed society. As part of its International Museum Day celebrations, UNESCO is hosting a roundtable on the Reproduction of Art and ...
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Mission to Potosí, Bolivia for eventual removal from List of World Heritage in Danger
Thursday, 18 May 2017
In the framework of the implementation of Decision 40 COM 7A.1 adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session (Istanbul, 2016), a Technical Advisory Mission was conducted by UNESCO World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS International, in support of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, from the 8 to the 11 May 2017. The World Heritage Committee inscribed the City of Potosí on the World ...
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UNESCO Beirut organizes a technical workshop on the conservation and restoration works of Baalbek and Tyre World Heritage sites
Friday, 12 May 2017
In the framework of the “UNESCO Documentation and Advisory Services” (UDAS) project, UNESCO Beirut launched on 8 May 2017 a Third Consultation Workshop for “Baalbek and Tyre Archaeological Project” (BTAP). The workshop was organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and in collaboration with the Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA) and the Council for Development and ...
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World Migratory Bird Day 2017
Tuesday, 9 May 2017
With the slogan “Their Future is Our Future – A Healthy Planet for Migratory Birds and People”, the World Migratory Bird Day 2017 on 10 May aims to highlight the interdependence of people and nature, and more specifically people and migratory birds, as they share the same planet and the same limited resources.  For more than ten years now, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) has raised awareness ...
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CEO of iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority receives 2017 KfW-Bernhard-Grzimek-Preis
Thursday, 4 May 2017
The CEO of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, the environmentalist Andrew Zaloumis, has been awarded the prestigious 2017 KfW-Bernhard-Grzimek-Preis for his outstanding commitment and visionary management of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage site in South Africa. The award is presented every two years to honour individuals and organizations for their commitment to protecting ...
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5 May 2017 – African World Heritage Day
Tuesday, 2 May 2017
“On this International Day, I call upon all African stakeholders, States, civil society and local communities to assume the protection of the unparalleled richness of Africa’s heritage.” “Supporting local communities – and especially young people – to promote and develop the abundant cultural and natural resources means paving the way for long-term, inclusive and socially cohesive ...
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UNESCO Director-General welcomes the liberation of Hatra and will send Emergency Assessment mission “as soon as possible”
Friday, 28 April 2017
Following several reports and discussions with the Iraqi authorities, UNESCO has confirmed the liberation of the archeological site of Hatra, located in the Governorate of Nineveh in Iraq. The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has reiterated her support to the government and people of Iraq and expressed the readiness of UNESCO to help protect and promote Iraqi heritage as a force for ...
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Youth Mobilize for Creativity, Heritage and Peace along the Silk Roads
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Over 80 young people from 65 countries have adopted an international Declaration affirming their desire to promote peaceful coexistence and sustainable development through recognition and celebration of the Silk Roads. At an International Youth Forum held in Changsha and Quanzhou, China, from 17 to 22 April 2017, participants agreed to expand their engagement in protecting and preserving ...
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Director of World Heritage Centre’s Message on the occasion of International “Earth Day” 2017
Friday, 21 April 2017
International Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22 April to remind each of us that the Earth and its ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance. It also recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for by the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future ...
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Message from the Director of the World Heritage Centre on International Day for Monuments and Sites
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
The 2017 International Day for Monuments and Sites is dedicated to the theme “Cultural Heritage & Sustainable Tourism”, chosen in relation to the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. In designating 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable ...
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Polynesian Voyaging Society concludes tour of eight World Heritage marine sites
Monday, 10 April 2017
At their best, World Heritage marine sites are like time capsules that provide a glimpse into the oceans of our parents and grandparents. Thanks to the expert care of managers and support from the global community, we can still experience the prehistoric Komodo Dragon, the dugongs of Dungonab Bay, or the pristine volcanic island of Surtsey. Our partners at The Polynesian Voyaging Society ...
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Wannsee Memorandum recognizes Universal Practices
Saturday, 8 April 2017
An Expert Meeting on ‘Outstanding Universal Value of Auschwitz – Historical Identity of Europe and Pars Pro Toto Borders’ was held at the House of the Wannsee Conference (Berlin) on 7 April 2017. Organized by the Polish National Commission, the National Heritage Board of Poland and the Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum, the meeting brought together some 30 experts from around the ...
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Join the World Heritage Volunteers 2017 campaign!
Friday, 7 April 2017
The World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) 2017 campaign: Heritage in our hands will take stock of the progress made over the past ten years to mobilize youth to preserve and promote World Heritage by reaching out to their peers and their communities.  Over the past ten years, the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Initiative has tremendously grown due to the increasing interest and appreciation for ...
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New IUCN World Heritage report stresses urgency of protecting the Arctic from ships and oil as ice melts
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
4 April 2017, Monaco -- The Arctic Ocean urgently needs protection as melting sea ice is opening up previously inaccessible areas to activities such as shipping, bottom trawl fishing and oil exploration, according to a scientific report launched today by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in partnership with the US-based Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and ...
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Sixth Iberian Meeting of Site Managers Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Sixth Iberian Meeting of Site Managers, Santiago de Compostela, Spain The 6th Iberian Meeting of Site Managers took place in Santiago de Compostela (Spain) from 29 to 31 March 2017 at the Museo das Peregrinacións e de Santiago. The meeting was organized by the Spanish Secretariat of State for Culture, through its General Division for the Protection of Historic Heritage, with the Xunta de ...
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UN Security Council adopts historic resolution for the protection of heritage
Friday, 24 March 2017
New York, 24 March 2017 - UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova addressed today’s public briefing of the United Nations Security Council on “Maintenance of international peace and security: destruction and trafficking of cultural heritage by terrorist groups and in situations of armed conflict,” where the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2347 for the protection of ...
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Director of World Heritage Centre’s message on the World Water Day 2017
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Water is one of the key resources required to sustain life. It has led to the development and generation of significant material culture in the form of objects, technology and places. How to obtain it, how to store it, how to harness its power and conserve it has motivated human endeavor in a myriad of ways.  It has also been the catalyst for the development of significant cultural practices ...
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Job vacancy: Cultural Heritage Specialist, Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), Kingdom of Bahrain
Tuesday, 21 March 2017
Post Title: Cultural Heritage Specialist Organisation: Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH) Location: Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Closing Date: 18 April, 2017 Applications: All interested applicants should submit their CV to info@arcwh.org Background of ARC-WH:The Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage was established as a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO to ...
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Director of World Heritage Centre’s message on the International Day of Forests 2017
Tuesday, 21 March 2017
Forests  play a critical role in the balance of world climate as well as in vital carbon capture and retention. Forests cover 30 per cent of the Earth’s surface and in addition to providing food security and shelter, forests are key to combating climate change, protecting biodiversity and are homes of indigenous peoples. While forests contribute to many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ...
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In memoriam: Sylvio Mutal
Thursday, 16 March 2017
The World Heritage Centre expresses its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sylvio Mutal, who passed away on 18 February 2017. Mr Mutal had a full and rich career spanning more than 40 years as a Practitioner and Executive Manager of the International Development Cooperation. After an education in Istanbul (Turkey), London (UK), Leiden (Holland) and Santiago de Chile ...
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UNESCO Heritage Director calls on Armed Forces to Help in Safeguarding Measures
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Cultural heritage has been targeted in attacks or suffered collateral damage in armed conflict. Recent destruction in World Heritage sites such as Aleppo, Syria or Hatra, Iraq brought this this into the background and alerted the international community.  One way to mitigate damage is for armed forces to be aware fully of cultural heritage sites and monuments, archaeological sites, and ...
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Wadden Sea World Heritage showcases sustainable tourism at the ITB 2017
Sunday, 12 March 2017
For the third year running, the Wadden Sea World Heritage organized a stand on sustainable tourism at ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show. Partnering with the UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme, the Wadden Sea World Heritage offered a rich and diverse programme around the motto “People Protecting Places” at the fair grounds from 8 to 12 March 2017. The ...
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UNESCO hosts First International Coordination Meeting for the recovery of Aleppo’s heritage
Thursday, 9 March 2017
UNESCO brought together Syrian stakeholders and international experts to evaluate damage to historic monuments including the citadel, madrasa al-sultaniya, grand serail, and souk of the Ancient City of Aleppo, a World Heritage site, and to strategize Aleppo’s recovery during a Technical and Coordination Meeting convened by UNESCO in Beirut, Lebanon from 2-3 March, 2017. The meeting also ...
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New Conservation Initiatives Recommended for Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha
Wednesday, 8 March 2017
Members of the Lumbini International Scientific Committee (ISC) gathered at Lumbini, Birthplace of the Lord Buddha (Nepal), a World Heritage site, from 17 to 19 February 2017, to review project activities and coordinate initiatives carried out by the Government of Nepal, development partners, and donors. International and national experts in archaeology, conservation, urban planning, the ...
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Message of Director of World Heritage Centre on the occasion of 2017 International Women’s Day
Wednesday, 8 March 2017
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day highlights women in the changing world of work, and sets our collective sights on the objective of making gender equality a reality by 2030. Gender equality is an important priority for UNESCO’s work on heritage, creativity and cultural diversity. The equal participation, access and contribution to cultural life of women and men are human ...
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Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the celebration of World Wildlife Day 2017 under the theme "Listen to the young voices"
Friday, 3 March 2017
The stakes are higher every day. Crimes against wildlife have been increasing over the past years, fuelled by conflicts and the trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products. The impact is devastating on the populations of both iconic and lesser-known species. Despite a range of decisions and actions, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Natural World Heritage sites have not been safe from these ...
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After the recapture of Palmyra, Director-General calls for renewed efforts to protect Syrian heritage
Friday, 3 March 2017
While several sources confirm the recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra from violent extremists, the Director-General of UNESCO calls for securing the archaeological site over the long term and redoubling efforts to protect Syrian heritage as a whole. "The protection of the archaeological site of Palmyra is both a major cultural issue and an imperative for security, peace and the recovery ...
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Reflection workshop: Effective involvement of local communities in managing cultural heritage
Thursday, 2 March 2017
In collaboration with ICCROM, ICOMOS, AWHF and EPA, the Africa Unit of the World Heritage Centre organized a meeting of exchange and reflection on ways to strengthen involvement of local communities in the management of cultural heritage properties through concrete actions. The meeting took place at the Royal Palaces of Abomey World Heritage site in Benin on 2 and 3 March 2017.  This ...
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UNESCO calls on international community to help revive Iraq’s cultural heritage in the wake of massive destruction
Friday, 24 February 2017
A two-day International Coordination Conference on the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Liberated Areas of Iraq ended at UNESCO’s Headquarters on Friday, laying the ground for an emergency, medium and long term action plan to preserve the country’s rich, diverse millennial archaeological sites, its museums, religious heritage, and historic cities. The Iraqi government officials and some ...
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Republic of Mauritius launches a Local Economic Development Plan for Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage property
Wednesday, 22 February 2017
The Republic of Mauritius received International Assistance from the World Heritage Fund to elaborate a Local Economic Development Plan for Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage property. The grant followed a request from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the State Party of Mauritius to take necessary action to prevent the demolition of historical buildings in the Buffer Zone of the ...
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Netherlands Funds-in-Trust agreement extended to 2020
Friday, 17 February 2017
Over the last 16 years between 2001 and 2016, the Netherlands supported the World Heritage activities through the Funds-in-Trust agreement. In January 2017, the agreement was extended for another 4 years, which will enter its 5th cycle of the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust. A total amount of € 1.5 million (€375,000 annually) will be contributed for the 2017-2020 cycle.  The Netherlands ...
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2016-2017 World Heritage Map Published
Friday, 10 February 2017
The latest version of the World Heritage map, produced by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and National Geographic Maps with the generous support of Poland, can now be ordered from the World Heritage Centre website. The featured image on the Map presents the Historic Centre of Kraków in Poland, country hosting the next session of the World Heritage Committee in July 2017. This ...
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Director of World Heritage Centre addresses the First CCIVS Partnership Meeting
Thursday, 9 February 2017
The First Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS) Partnership Meeting on “Future of Cultural Heritage and Diversity with International partners” was held on 8 February 2017 in Paris. Ms Mechtild Rössler presented a keynote speech on “The Challenges of Heritage Conservation and Volunteering Best Practices”. The event brought together more than 200 international and ...
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World Wetlands Day 2017: Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction
Thursday, 2 February 2017
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February, marking the date in 1971 when the Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention, was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar, drawing attention to the importance of wetlands. The theme for 2017 “Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction” is selected to raise awareness and to highlight the vital role of healthy wetlands in reducing ...
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Panasonic World Heritage 2017 Calendar in paper, online and tablet PC app formats now available
Thursday, 2 February 2017
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Panasonic Corporation have released the 2017 World Heritage calendar. Featuring stunning photographs of World Heritage sites from around the world, this popular calendar can be used in paper, online and tablet app versions. UNESCO and Panasonic have been creating wall calendars since 1995 and a web version since 2010. The wall calendar includes brief ...
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The World Heritage Convention has entered into force for Timor-Leste
Wednesday, 1 February 2017
On 31 October 2016, the Government of Timor-Leste officially deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage with the Director-General of UNESCO. Timor-Leste has become the 193rd State Party to the World Heritage Convention on 31 January 2017, when the Convention entered into force for this country. To date, 44 ...
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Call for Applications: 2017 Business Skills for Protected Areas in Africa - deadline 24 February 2017
Tuesday, 31 January 2017
The call for applications for the business skills training programme for protected areas in Africa is now open until 24 February 2017. Each year, the Earth Skills Network (ESN) provides funded training in: business planning and effective management practices and, personal development of leadership capabilities, with 12 months of mentoring from an ESN corporate member with significant ...
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Annual Newsletter 2017 - Reflecting on a year of highs and lows
Friday, 27 January 2017
Last year was one of extremes for marine World Heritage. We broke new ground with our High Seas report that identifies a path forward for World Heritage protection in this final ocean frontier. The World Heritage Centre’s Marine Programme expanded the network to include two new sites—Archipiélago de Revillagigedo (Mexico) and Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island ...
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UNESCO Director-General receives the Mayor of Venice
Tuesday, 24 January 2017
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, received the Mayor of Venice, Mr. Luigi Brugnaro, at UNESCO Headquarters, in the presence of representatives of the Italian government, to discuss the protection of the city of Venice and its Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. This meeting follows the Director-General's visit to Venice on 3 and 4 November 2016, on the occasion of ...
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UNESCO Director-General condemns destruction of the Tetrapylon and severe damage to the Theatre in Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Friday, 20 January 2017
UNESCO received several reports and satellite imagery released today by UNITAR-UNOSAT confirming the destruction of Palmyra’s tetrapylon and parts of the theatre’s proscenium. “This destruction is a new war crime and an immense loss for the Syrian people and for humanity,” said UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova. “This new blow against cultural heritage, just a few hours after UNESCO ...
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UNESCO reports on extensive damage in first emergency assessment mission to Aleppo
Thursday, 19 January 2017
UNESCO led an emergency mission to Aleppo from 16 to 19 January to undertake a preliminary assessment of the extent of damages at the World Heritage site of the Ancient City of Aleppo, as well as the state of educational institutions in the city. The UNESCO team reported extensive damage at the Great Umayyad Mosque, the Citadel, mosques, churches, suqs, khans, madrassas, hammams, museums and ...
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UNESCO Joins Launch of International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
On 18 January 2017, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, Francesco Bandarin, took part in the official launch of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Madrid, Spain.  With the presence of Spanish and international dignitaries, representatives from international organizations and civil society, the event ...
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State of Conservation of the World Heritage Property “Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites”
Friday, 13 January 2017
Over the last several months, the World Heritage Centre has received numerous messages from citizens and NGOs expressing their concerns regarding the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down project including a proposed tunnel located within the boundaries of the World Heritage property “Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites”, and the adverse impact it may have on the property. It should be noted ...
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Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, Pakistan
Thursday, 12 January 2017
As requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016 (Istanbul, Turkey), a joint World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Reactive Monitoring mission is due to be undertaken in the near future as soon as the invitation letter from the Government of Pakistan (Province of Punjab) is issued. The World Heritage Committee at its 40th ...
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Action Plan adopted in Kyzylorda to set the way forward for the Silk Roads: Fergana-Syradarya Corridor World Heritage serial and transnational nomination process
Wednesday, 28 December 2016
An expert meeting for the preparation of the serial transnational World Heritage nomination “Silk Roads: Fergana – Syrdarya Corridor” took place in Kyzylorda (Kazakhstan) on 14 November 2016, as follow-up to the Almaty Agreement adopted on 24–25 November 2015 during the Fourth Meeting of the Coordinating Committee on the World Heritage Serial Nomination of the Silk Roads held in Almaty ...
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End-of-year Message from Mechtild Rössler, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre
Thursday, 22 December 2016
Dear friends and supporters of World Heritage, I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year on behalf of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2016 was a year with many challenges: World Heritage sites were threatened by natural disaster, terrorist attacks and ill-advised infrastructure projects. Across the world, we saw cultural and natural heritage on the frontline of conflicts, fueled by ...
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Celebrating a decade of Marine World Heritage
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
The 1972 World Heritage Convention is founded on the premise of international cooperation. It recognizes that some places are of irreplaceable value to humankind, and signifies the commitment of all nations to support their protection. This global covenant is uniquely suited to facilitate conservation of the world’s ocean, where connectedness is a fact of life. Recognizing that World Heritage ...
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Ocean Elder Sven Lindblad on why Protecting UNESCO’s Marine World Heritage Is Essential
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
Last August, the UNESCO’s Marine World Heritage Managers Conference was held on board Lindblad Expedition’s National Geographic Endeavour, and we were honored to be joined by CEO and Ocean Elder Sven Lindblad. Over the course of the week, Lindblad met with the managers responsible for the day-to-day protection of our common ocean heritage of humanity, sharing the stories behind his commitment ...
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In Memory of Rangers of World Heritage Sites
Friday, 16 December 2016
The Director of the World Heritage Center deplores the attacks on conservation guards and conservation staff working in World Heritage sites. This week was marked by the deaths of two guards, Bruce Danny Ngongo, in Lobéké National Park (Cameroon), and Patrick Prince Muhayirwa, in the Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo). These two rangers were killed in the course of ...
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With President Francois Hollande, UNESCO Director-General inaugurates the exhibition "Eternal Sites" at the Grand Palais
Wednesday, 14 December 2016
On 13 December, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova participated, with the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, in the inauguration of the exhibition held at the Grand Palais devoted to Cultural Heritage in Conflict Situations, under the patronage of UNESCO. The inauguration was marked by a visit to the exhibition and included speeches by Ms Sylvie Hubac, President of the ...
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UNESCO Director General sends rapid assessment mission to the Nimrud archaeological site in Iraq
Wednesday, 14 December 2016
The UNESCO office in Iraq has led a rapid assessment mission to the Nimrud archaeological site, located in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq, on 14 December 2016. The objective of the mission was to assess the overall state of conservation of the site, in particular the extent of damage resulting from the deliberate destruction by ISIL/Daesh over the past 2 years. In addition, the mission aimed to ...
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The 13th Bamiyan Expert Working Group Meeting met in Germany
Tuesday, 13 December 2016
The 13th Bamiyan Expert Working Group Meeting met at the Technical University of Munich, Germany (1-3 December 2016), and released important recommendations for future safeguarding actions at the Bamiyan World Heritage site, Afghanistan. The Governor of the Bamiyan province, the Deputy Minister of Culture of Afghanistan, accompanied by high-ranking officials from the Government of ...
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Reports released on UNESCO/Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust Project Supporting Silk Roads Nomination
Monday, 12 December 2016
In line with UNESCO’s efforts since 1988 to encourage research on the Silk Roads as routes of interchange and dialogue of cultures, the UNESCO/Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust (FiT) project “Support for the preparation for the World Heritage Serial Nomination of the Silk Roads in South Asia” was developed in May 2013 and completed in August 2016. >Upon completion of this project, two reports ...
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Message of the Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre on International Mountain Day
Sunday, 11 December 2016
As we celebrate International Mountain Day and the rich diversity and identity of the world’s mountain cultures, we acknowledge the deep connection of communities and individuals to these majestic and unique areas, where many natural and cultural World Heritage sites of outstanding universal value can be found.    These sites entail not only diverse geological features and ecosystems, but ...
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In Abu Dhabi, UNESCO Director-General calls for renewed commitment to protect heritage under attack
Saturday, 3 December 2016
On 3 December, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, delivered concluding remarks at the International Conference for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Conflict Areas, organized at the initiative and in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and the President of France, Francois Hollande. This Conference, held under the patronage of UNESCO, took ...
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Director-General Receives WWF’s Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award
Thursday, 1 December 2016
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, today presented the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) 2016 Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award, for her contribution to conservation. The ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace in London. Yolanda Kakabadse, President of WWF, said that “Irina leads the way and shows us that protecting natural areas and ...
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UN Biodiversity Conference COP13 to be held in Cancun, Mexico
Thursday, 1 December 2016
The UN Biodiversity Conference COP13 will be held during 4-17 December 2016 in Cancun, Mexico. It is the highest governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which brings together representatives of the countries party managers and key players to promote the implementation of the Convention. Since the CBD came into force in December 1993, the COP has held 12 regular ...
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Updates on Conservation of World Heritage Properties
Thursday, 1 December 2016
Following Decisions of the World Heritage Committee, the World Heritage Centre expects a total of 60 state of conservation reports on World Heritage properties which are due to be received by the deadline of 1 December 2016. The Director of the World Heritage Centre confirmed that a number of these reports have already been submitted, for example from Donana National Park (Spain), Osun ...
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Safeguarding Rock Art in Southern Africa Region
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
From 7 to 13 November 2016, the archaeological department of the University of Zimbabwe hosted a regional workshop on rock art conservation with participants from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. The workshop received financial support from the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa and the French Embassy in Zimbabwe. The workshop discussed rock art conservation concepts, ...
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The summit of Le Morne Cultural Landscape (Mauritius) accessible to the public
Sunday, 27 November 2016
Inaccessible since its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008, the Le Morne Mountain, symbol of Maroons and resistance to slavery, opened its footpaths to the public in July 2016. This new development comes as a follow-up to the recommendations of the Joint Reactive Monitoring Mission, carried out by the World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS in February 2016 and to the World Heritage ...
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From the emergency to the restoration of cultural heritage: stories and images from the Venice archives
Friday, 25 November 2016
Among the numerous events organized as part of “Aqua Granda 1966-2016”, UNESCO is directly contributing to the exhibition “From the emergency to the restoration of cultural heritage: Stories and images from the archives of the city” at the Marciana National Library in Venice, Italy. The exhibition will run until 27 November 2016. The Aqua Granda 1966-2016 exhibition at the Marciana National ...
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UNESCO Director-General welcomes the liberation of Nimrud and renews the call for the protection of heritage in Iraq
Friday, 25 November 2016
Following the confirmation by Iraqi authorities of the liberation of the archaeological site of Nimrud, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has reiterated her support to the people of Iraq and the need to unite for the protection of heritage in the country. ‘This liberation is highly significant for the Iraqi people and the international community. We are now at the beginning of a ...
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Successful 5th Coordination Meeting of UNESCO World Heritage related category 2 centres held in Dehradun, India
Thursday, 24 November 2016
The 5th Annual Coordination Meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage related category 2 Institutes and Centres took place in Dehradun, India on 22 November 2016. The UNESCO Category 2 Centre (C2C) on Natural World Heritage Management and Training for Asia and the Pacific Region (NWHMT) at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) hosted the meeting on its campus. Four coordination meetings have ...
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“The Value of Heritage”
Thursday, 24 November 2016
Unite4Heritage is proud to present the video "The Value of Heritage" that raises awareness about the importance of safeguarding heritage for future generations. This video was produced by the UNESCO Beirut Office in the framework of the Emergency Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural Heritage project, funded by the European Union and supported by the Flemish Government and the Government of ...
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UNESCO meeting considers protection of Ancient City of Damascus following fire
Thursday, 24 November 2016
A recent fire that devastated a neighbourhood of the Ancient City of Damascus raised the alarm about the need to protect the old city, inscribed on the World Heritage list, from future catastrophes and sparked discussions about post-conflict action in Syria. In April, a fire erupted in al-Asrooniya area, a commercial neighbourhood located between the Citadel of Damascus and the Great Mosque ...
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UNESCO Jakarta supports implementation of World Heritage Camp Indonesia 2016
Thursday, 24 November 2016
Within the framework of the Heritage Education Program, the Directorate of Heritage and Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Education and Culture, Directorate General of Culture) conducted the World Heritage Camp Indonesia (WHCI) 2016 from 8 to 14 November. The seven-day forum was held across three World Heritage Sites in Indonesia – Sangiran Early Man Site, Prambanan Temple Compounds, and ...
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Impact of climate change on marine sites examined at COP22
Tuesday, 22 November 2016
The 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held from 7 to 18 November 2016, began a mere three days after the Paris Agreement, adopted at the 21st Conference in 2015, came into force. Leaders from around the world met in Marrakech, Morocco to chart a course for collective action on climate change. The conference focused on ...
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International Conference on World Heritage Interpretation held in Republic of Korea
Monday, 21 November 2016
Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of Korea, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) and the Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU), an international conference on World Heritage Interpretation was held in Seoul, Republic of Korea on 2 November 2016.  The conference was attended by more than 100 participants including 14 Ambassadors of Permanent ...
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World Heritage Volunteers Programme in Qatar
Monday, 21 November 2016
Within the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Initiative was launched in 2008 in collaboration with the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS) to mobilise and involve young people and youth organizations in World Heritage preservation and promotion. Since then, over 3500 volunteers have ...
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Celebrating new UNESCO World Heritage sites in Europe
Friday, 18 November 2016
The European Commission and the European Parliament in collaboration with UNESCO, organized a photo exhibition on 15 November 2016 to celebrate the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Europe inscribed in 2015 and 2016. The new World Heritage sites join the EU’s network of over 300 sites. The exhibition was an opportunity to showcase the EU’s commitment to supporting World Heritage in the lead up ...
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UNESCO Santiago presents map of the World Heritage of Chile
Thursday, 17 November 2016
In addition to Chile's World Heritage sites, the map includes 17 sites that the Chilean government has submitted to the Tentative List to be potentially named World Heritage in future. The map will soon be available for free. The map that UNESCO has launched to commemorate its 71st anniversary seeks to raise awareness of the diversity and location of Chile’s different types of heritage. The ...
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Expert workshop in Rwanda examines Memory Sites
Thursday, 10 November 2016
The National Centre for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG), the Ministry of Sports and Culture of Rwanda and UNESCO organized an international experts meeting on the World Heritage Convention and Memory Sites from 7 to 9 November 2016 with support from the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF). The three-day workshop included visits to Murambi and Nyamata memorial sites, which are two of the four ...
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Nordic World Heritage Association is Founded
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
An exciting addition to the network of Nordic World Heritage sites saw the light of day on 23 September 2016 with the founding of the Nordic World Heritage Association. The founding document was signed at the Thingvellir World Heritage Property (Iceland) and brought together representatives of the five Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Denmark, including Greenland, Iceland and ...
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Second workshop on the World Heritage Convention held in Trinidad and Tobago
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
The Trinidad and Tobago National Commission for UNESCO, in collaboration with the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago and the Tourism Development Company organized in Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) on 1st and 2nd November 2016, the Second Workshop on the World Heritage Convention. This international workshop was conceived with the support of the World Heritage Centre together with the ...
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First international conference highlights the mutually reinforcing mission of World Heritage sites and museums
Friday, 4 November 2016
World Heritage sites and their associated museums are working with both local communities and international heritage professionals not only to preserve, but to help people maintain and reinforce their relationship to their shared cultural and natural heritage.  Together they are facing threats and challenges like conflict, climate change and funding shortages. An International Conference on ...
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50 years after the Venice flood, UNESCO Director-General renews commitment to the World Heritage City
Friday, 4 November 2016
On 3 and 4 November, fifty years after the 1966 Venice flood and the International Safeguarding Campaign launched by UNESCO, the Director-General, Irina Bokova, undertook a visit to Venice, Italy. This visit was an opportunity to mark the longstanding cooperation with Italy and to express UNESCO’s support to its government and people after the country was struck by a series of powerful ...
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Multi-lateral meetings for the strengthening of security around the Garamba National Park (DRC)
Thursday, 3 November 2016
On 24 and 26 October 2016, at the invitation of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo, represented by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature - ICCN), met with Permanent Delegates from  Uganda, Central African Republic and South Sudan, at UNESCO Headquarters to discuss the state of ...
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Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre expresses distress after earthquake in Italy
Tuesday, 1 November 2016
The Director of the World Heritage Centre, Mechtild Rössler, has expressed her profound sympathy to the government and people of Italy after the devastating earthquake that struck the country Sunday last. “It was with great concern and sadness that I learnt of the devastating earthquake that struck Central Italy Sunday last, and I would like, at the outset, to express the World Heritage ...
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World Heritage Centre and IUCN representatives start dialogue towards better protection of the Sundarbans
Monday, 31 October 2016
On 28 October 2016 UNESCO World Heritage Centre and IUCN World Heritage Programme representatives met with H.E. the Ambassador and an expert delegation of senior officials from Bangladesh to chart a way forward in addressing core conservation challenges to the Sundarbans, the world's largest unbroken mangrove system. Earlier this month, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN released a report of ...
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World Heritage Committee completes 40th session
Thursday, 27 October 2016
The World Heritage Committee continued its work from 24 to 26 October 2016 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, thus completing its 40th session which began in Istanbul, Turkey from 10 to 17 July 2016. The Committee finished its deliberations, including discussions concerning the budget and revision to the Operational Guidelines of the World Heritage Convention. The Committee also ...
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Karima Bennoune: Cultural heritage is a human rights issue
Wednesday, 26 October 2016
“Cultural heritage is significant in the present, both as a message from the past and as a pathway to the future. Viewed from a human rights perspective, it is important not only in itself, but also in relation to its human dimension,” Karima Bennoune says. As UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, she decided to address the intentional destruction of cultural heritage as an ...
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Seven marine sites sign historic agreement
Wednesday, 19 October 2016
The Eastern Tropical Pacific region is a vast swath of open ocean, coasts and islands that stretches from the west coast of Mexico to the northern tip of Peru. Its rich waters support some of the world’s most productive fisheries, and are home to wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. The region’s spectacular scenery and wildlife have made it a global tourism destination, and seven ...
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Culture gives cities social and economic power, shows UNESCO report
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
Culture has the power to make cities more prosperous, safer, and sustainable, according to UNESCO’s Global Report, Culture: Urban Future to be launched in Quito (Ecuador) on 18 October. The Global Report presents evidence on how development policies in line with UNESCO’s conventions on the protection and promotion of culture and heritage can benefit cities. The Report will be released at an ...
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World Heritage Centre and IUCN call for relocation of Rampal power plant, a serious threat to the Sundarbans
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
The Sundarbans in Bangladesh is part of the world’s largest mangrove forests, home to the famous Bengal Tiger and a hotspot for dolphins, turtles, and birds. Millions of people depend on this labyrinth of tidal rivers for food, homes, and flood protection.   The Sundarbans were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997, and will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. In March ...
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Philippines park superintendent learns about Mammoth Cave
Monday, 17 October 2016
Beth Maclang has spent the last three weeks at Mammoth Cave National Park learning about the operation of the park. Maclang is visiting MCNP as a World Heritage Fellow. She is the superintendent of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park on the island of Patawan in the Philippines. “I’m just trying to observe,” she said. Like MCNP, Puerto Princesa is a national park with a ...
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Official Launch of the Helsinki Action Plan Monitoring Survey
Monday, 17 October 2016
National Focal Points for World Heritage in Europe are invited to complete the online form and provide information on steps taken so far toward the implementation of the Helsinki Action Plan for Europe. Each question corresponds directly to one of the 34 specific actions outlined in the Action Plan. National Focal Points are invited to provide quantitative information relating to each ...
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In Memoriam: Lawrence S. Hamilton
Monday, 17 October 2016
The World Heritage Centre has learned with great sadness of the recent passing of Larry Hamilton, a pioneer in nature conservation whose impact touched all the corners of the globe. Larry was an exceptional educator, advisor, and pioneer of courses in forest ecology, watershed studies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international resource issues at Cornell University’s Department of ...
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Statement by the Director-General of UNESCO on the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Friday, 14 October 2016
“As I have stated on many occasions, and most recently during the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee, Jerusalem is the sacred city of the three monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is in recognition of this exceptional diversity, and this cultural and religious coexistence, that it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. “The heritage of ...
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World Heritage Volunteers 2017 – Call for Projects
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Over the past nine years, the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Initiative has grown tremendously due to increasing interest and appreciation for World Heritage protection, preservation and promotion of World Heritage sites. Celebrating 10 years of the initiative, the World Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the Call for Projects for the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Campaign ...
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UNESCO helps build regional capacity in disaster-risk management of South-East European designated sites
Friday, 7 October 2016
Professionals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia are the beneficiaries of the sub-regional workshop on “Managing Disaster Risks in UNESCO Designated Sites” that will take place in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 10-13 October 2016. The event is organised by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, Venice (Italy), in support of the World Heritage ...
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South Sudan moves closer to finalizing its World Heritage Tentative List
Friday, 30 September 2016
Since South Sudan’s ratification of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in March 2016, UNESCO has been working closely with the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to support the development of the newest African country’s first Tentative List of potential World Heritage sites.  A ‘Tentative List’ is a detailed inventory of natural, cultural or mixed (both natural and cultural) ...
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Timbuktu Trial: "A major step towards peace and reconciliation in Mali"
Tuesday, 27 September 2016
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has recognized Ahmed Al-Faqi Al-Mahdi guilty of war crime and has sentenced him to 9 years in prison for his responsibility in the deliberate destruction in 2012 of nine mausoleums and the secret gate of the Sidi Yahia mosque in UNESCO’s World Heritage site of Timbuktu (Mali). “The decision of the International Criminal Court is a landmark in gaining ...
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Director of World Heritage Centre’s message on World Tourism Day 2016
Tuesday, 27 September 2016
With almost 1.2 billion people travelling abroad each year, tourism has become a powerful economic sector, a passport to prosperity, dialogue and peace, and a transformative force improving millions of lives. Tourism and World Heritage are natural partners. Almost all World Heritage sites are or become tourist destinations-some are among the most iconic places on Earth. The key objective of ...
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UNESCO’s Culture Conventions more important than ever
Tuesday, 27 September 2016
Destruction of cultural heritage has reached unprecedented levels. In light of this, and culture’s unique contribution to peace and sustainable development, the ratification, implementation and visibility of UNESCO’s six Culture Conventions are more important than ever. This was the focus of the Second Meeting of the Chairpersons of the Committees of UNESCO Culture Conventions at UNESCO ...
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World Heritage inscription of “The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier” an invitation to transnational cooperation
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
On 19 September 2016 at the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine (Architectural and Heritage Centre), Paris, the representatives of seven States Parties, Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Japan and Switzerland were presented with the certificates of inscription on the List of World Heritage of the serial property “The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding ...
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UNESCO welcomes restoration of sacred gate of Sidi Yahia in Timbuktu
Tuesday, 20 September 2016
The sacred gate of the mosque of Sidi Yahia in Timbuktu, which bears testimony to cultural traditions dating back to the 15th century CE, was officially reinstalled on 19 September in a ceremony organized by the inhabitants of the World Heritage site. The gate, regarded as sacred, had been pulled out and damaged on 2 July 2012 by armed extremists who occupied the city. The restoration and ...
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Reactive Monitoring Mission to take place at Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage property (Canada)
Friday, 16 September 2016
A joint reactive monitoring mission by the World Heritage Centre and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to assess the state of conservation of the World Heritage property “Wood Buffalo National Park” will take place from 25 September to 4 October 2016, at the invitation of Canada, and in keeping with the request made by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in ...
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Exhibition: Sustainable development in the Safeguarding of African World Heritage
Friday, 16 September 2016
In May/June 2016, the World Heritage Centre, in collaboration with its partners, organized a travelling exhibition displayed on the railings of UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and, subsequently, at the international conference in Arusha on the theme of African World Heritage Safeguarding as a Driver of Sustainable Development. For the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee held in ...
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2nd Huangshan Dialogue on UNESCO sites and climate change opens in China
Tuesday, 13 September 2016
The more than 1,800 UNESCO designated sites around the world – World Heritage sites, biosphere reserves and UNESCO Global Geoparks – are impacted by climate change, and can play a significant role in understanding, adapting to and mitigating these impacts. These were the key messages from the opening day of the 2nd Huangshan Dialogue, a global forum on UNESCO-designated sites and sustainable ...
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Severe storms damage historical buildings at Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites, Islamic Republic of the Gambia
Monday, 5 September 2016
It is with great sadness and concern that the World Heritage Centre learnt of the impact of the heavy rains and windstorms of 23 August 2016 that affected local communities, historic buildings and the villages of Albreda and Juffureh at Gambia's World Heritage site of Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites. The storms caused destruction of property, including the loss of part of the roof of ...
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The 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress calls for linking nature and culture for sustainable development
Monday, 5 September 2016
The Nature-Culture Journey of the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress concluded with a call for commitments, “Malama Honua - to care for our island Earth”. It recognizes the nature-culture links as vital for addressing contemporary conservation challenges. The 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress, which took place in Honolulu, Hawai’i from 1 to 10 September 2016, was attended by some ...
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New IUCN guidelines to harmonize management in natural areas with multiple international designations
Sunday, 4 September 2016
New guidelines launched at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress aim to support the management of areas recognised simultaneously under several international designations, all of which have environmental conservation at their heart. The publication, “Managing MIDAs – Harmonising the management of Multi-Internationally Designated Areas: Ramsar Sites, World Heritage sites, Biosphere ...
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Meet the Heritage Heroes
Sunday, 4 September 2016
The winner of the Heritage Heroes award was announced on 4 September 2016 at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii, USA. The Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Dr Mechtild Rössler, congratulated the Heritage Hero nominees from Virunga National Park (DRC), Western Caucasus (Russian Federation) and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Mr. Bibhuti Lakhar was the people’s ...
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Director-General highlights UNESCO’s role in nature preservation at World Conservation Congress
Friday, 2 September 2016
On 1 September, the UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova participated in the IUCN World Conservation Congress opening ceremony, in the presence of several Heads of State of the Pacific Islands, Ms. Sally Jewell, US Secretary of State of the Interior and Senator of Hawaii, Mr Shatz. Irina Bokova held several bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Conservation leaders, where she ...
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UNESCO Director-General welcomes creation of world’s largest marine protected area
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, welcomed the establishment by the President of the United States, Mr. Barack Obama, of the largest nature reserve in the world, by expanding the marine reserve Papahānaumokuākea, in Hawaii (USA), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2010. "This decision is a powerful symbol of determination to protect the environment. It is a way to strengthen ...
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UNESCO Director-General Participates in the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, will undertake a mission to Honolulu (USA) from 1st September to 3rd September to participate in the World Conservation Congress organized by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), an advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The main purpose of IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii is to bring together leaders ...
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Director-General of UNESCO expresses solidarity with the people of Myanmar after earthquake in Bagan
Friday, 26 August 2016
25 August – The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has expressed her profound sympathy to the government and people of Myanmar after the devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar, including the ancient city of Bagan, causing loss of life and extensive damage to nearly 200 historic monuments and iconic pagodas. “I wish to express my sincere sympathy following the ...
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Guardians of the world’s ocean icons convene in Galapagos to chart sustainable future
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Paris, France – From 27-31 August 2016, managers from the 49 marine sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List will convene in the Galapagos Islands to explore solutions to some of the world’s most pressing conservation challenges including climate adaptation strategies and market-based approaches to strengthen sustainable fisheries. Along with leading experts and ocean conservationists they will ...
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UNESCO Director-General welcomes opening of trial on the destruction of heritage in Timbuktu
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
UNESCO today welcomed the opening of the hearings of the case of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for alleged war crimes and the destruction of historical monuments and buildings of religious significance, including nine mausoleums and a mosque at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Timbuktu (Mali) in 2012. This first trial at an international ...
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Director of World Heritage Centre meets with Minister for Culture of Gabon
Tuesday, 9 August 2016
The Director of the Centre met with the Minister for Culture, Arts and Civic Education of Gabon Ms. Paulette Mengue M’OWONO and her team to discuss collaboration on a number of topics including African Heritage and sustainable development, national World Heritage Committees and reinforcing national capacities and expertise towards more nominations from African countries. Gabon has currently ...
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Nepal’s museums re-opening post-earthquake
Friday, 5 August 2016
Just over one year ago, on 25 April 2015, Nepal was devastated by an earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks. This natural disaster heavily damaged Nepal’s cultural and natural heritage, including 691 historic buildings in 16 districts, of which 131 fully collapsed. Rapid visual assessment showed that the monuments, institutions and sites within the World Heritage site of Kathmandu Valley ...
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Director of World Heritage Centre attends World Heritage inscription ceremony in India
Thursday, 4 August 2016
The Director of the World Heritage Centre, Dr.Mechtild Rössler, attended a ceremony on the occasion of the new inscriptions from India on the World Heritage List.  The ceremony was organized by the Wildlife Institute of India with the Indian authorities and representatives of the Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) at Nalanda, Bihar, and the mixed property of ...
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UNESCO and Bhutan launch two-year project for South Asian Cultural Landscape Initiatives
Wednesday, 3 August 2016
On 3 August 2016, the Director of the World Heritage Centre and the Home and Cultural Affairs Secretary of Bhutan, Mr Sonam Topgay, launched a two year UNESCO – Japan Funds in Trust project for South Asian Cultural Landscape Initiatives in Thimphu, Bhutan. The launch took place at the successful conclusion of the Workshop for Cultural Landscape and Sustaining its Significance – Bhutan 2016 ...
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World Heritage in the High Seas: An Idea Whose Time has Come
Wednesday, 3 August 2016
Paris, 3 August- Sunken coral islands, floating rainforests, giant undersea volcanoes or even spires of rock resembling sunken cities: none of these sites can be inscribed on the World Heritage List because they are found in the High Seas, outside of any national jurisdiction. A report launched today by UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ...
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UNESCO Ramallah Office and the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities celebrate the inscription of two Palestinian World Heritage sites
Wednesday, 27 July 2016
On Wednesday 20 July 2016, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) and the municipalities of Bethlehem and Battir organized an official ceremony to celebrate the inscription of the two World Heritage properties in Palestine: “The Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem” and “Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern ...
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The 40th session of the World Heritage Committee to continue at UNESCO’s Headquarters from 24 to 26 October 2016
Tuesday, 26 July 2016
By Decision 40 COM 17, the World Heritage Committee, decided to continue the work of its 40th session at UNESCO’s Headquarters in the course of October 2016. Therefore, please save the date for this meeting which will take place in Room II at UNESCO’s Headquarters from 24 to 26 October 2016. More detailed information regarding this meeting will be available in due ...
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In Memoriam: Luc Hoffmann
Tuesday, 26 July 2016
The World Heritage Centre has learned with great sadness of the recent passing of Luc Hoffmann, a pioneer in nature conservation whose impact touched all the corners of the globe. An ornithologist, conservationist and philanthropist, Mr Hoffmann co-founded the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and helped establish the Ramsar Convention for the protection of Wetlands. He set up the Tour du Valat ...
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Partners for World Heritage meet in Istanbul during 40th Committee Session
Monday, 25 July 2016
A World Heritage partners’ event and panel discussion took place on the 15th of July in Istanbul sponsored by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, on the occasion of the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee The Partners' event, for the third consecutive year, provided a platform for discussing private sector partners’ contributions to World Heritage conservation and promotion ...
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Enjoy the UNESCO Dolomites on Google Maps Street View
Thursday, 21 July 2016
The UNESCO Dolomites Foundation is the first Italian organisation to sign up to the Google Trekker Loan Program, so from today it will be possible to enjoy the Dolomites online, anywhere from New York to Calcutta, on Google Maps Street View. The result of the combined effort put in by volunteer mapping team from the Dolomites regional mountaineering clubs, the UNESCO Dolomites park ...
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Polish city of Kraków to host 2017 World Heritage Committee session
Sunday, 17 July 2016
Istanbul, Turkey, 17 July—The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Istanbul, Turkey from 10 to 17 July with Ambassador, Director General of Cultural Affairs and Promotion Abroad of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lale Ülker as its Chairperson has inscribed 21 sites on the World Heritage List. They include 12 cultural sites, six natural and three mixed sites. The World Heritage List ...
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Eight new sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Sunday, 17 July 2016
Istanbul, Turkey 17 July—The World Heritage Committee, on the last afternoon of its 40th session which opened on 10 July, inscribed eight new sites on the List: one transnational site (in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan), and others in Canada, Chad, China, Iraq, Iran, Mexico and Sudan. The newly inscribed natural sites are: Hubei Shennongjia (China)—Located in Hubei Province, in ...
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Four new sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Sunday, 17 July 2016
Istanbul, Turkey, 17 July—The World Heritage Committee this morning inscribed four new sites on the World Heritage List: the transnational serial site of The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Japan, Switzerland), along with sites in Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil and India. Today’s inscription gives ...
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40th World Heritage Committee session resumes for one day on Sunday 17 July
Saturday, 16 July 2016
The 40th session of the World Heritage Committee will resume on Sunday 17 July at Istanbul Congress Center, with a Bureau meeting at 9 am, followed by the Plenary at 9.30 am. The agenda of tomorrow's meeting will be restricted to a limited number of items. The 40th session will end on Sunday evening after these items are examined. Watch  Follow the Committee’s live ...
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Five sites inscribed on World Heritage List
Friday, 15 July 2016
Istanbul, Turkey, 15 July—The World Heritage Committee inscribed five new sites on the World Heritage List this afternoon. One of the new sites, a transboundary property, is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, the others are in Greece, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The new sites, in the order of their inscription, are: Stećci – Medieval Tombstones ...
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Four sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Friday, 15 July 2016
Istanbul, Turkey, 15 July—The World Heritage Committee, meeting for its 40th session since 10 July, this morning inscribed four new sites in China, India, Iran and Micronesia on the World Heritage List. Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia in the Federated States of Micronesia was inscribed both on the World Heritage List and on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The new ...
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Libya’s five World Heritage sites put on List of World Heritage in Danger
Thursday, 14 July 2016
Istanbul, Turkey, 14 July—The World Heritage Committee today placed the five World Heritage sites of Libya on the List of World Heritage in Danger because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses. The five sites are: Archaeological Site of Cyrene, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna, Archaeological Site of Sabratha, Rock-Art Sites of ...
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Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, Uzbekistan, added to List of World Heritage in Danger
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Istanbul, Turkey, 13 July — The World Heritage Committee has decided to add Uzbekistan’s Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz to the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the over-development of tourist infrastructure in the site. The Committee expressed concern over the destruction of buildings in the centre of the World Heritage site’s Medieval neighbourhoods and the construction of modern ...
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Historical Monuments of Mtskheta, Georgia, removed from List of World Heritage in Danger
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Istanbul, Turkey, 13 July—The World Heritage Committee has decided to remove Georgia’s Historical Monuments of Mtskheta site from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Committee’s decision reflects recognition of Georgia’s efforts to improve the safeguarding and management of the site, which had been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2009. It had been put on the List in ...
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Mali’s Old Towns of Djenné on List of World Heritage in Danger
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Istanbul, Turkey, 13 July—The World Heritage Committee has added the Old Towns of Djennéthe List of World Heritage in Danger due to insecurity, which is affecting the area and preventing the implementation of protective measures for the Malian World Heritage site. The Committee has expressed concern over the property, which is situated in an area affected by insecurity. This situation is ...
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World Heritage Committee opens in Istanbul
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Istanbul, 10 July - The 40th session of the World Heritage Committee opened today in Istanbul (Turkey) under the chairmanship of Lale Ülker, Ambassador, Director General of Cultural Affairs and Promotion Abroad of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The opening ceremony was an opportunity to stress that World Heritage, which is now, more than ever, the subject of numerous threats, must ...
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Turkish musician Kudsi Ergüner named UNESCO Artist for Peace
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Istanbul, July 10 - The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today appointed Turkish musician Kudsi Ergüner, UNESCO Artist for Peace, at a ceremony held had the Congress Center in Istanbul (Turkey) following the opening ceremony of the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee, which ends on 20 July. Kudsi Ergüner is named in recognition of his efforts to promote the universal values ...
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[in French only] Bakonirina Rakotomamonjy : La terre à la reconquête de l'architecture
Tuesday, 5 July 2016
[in French only] Il faudrait construire 90 000 logements par jour, d’ici à 2030, pour répondre aux besoins de 3 milliards de personnes selon UN-Habitat. Face à ce défi, l’architecture de terre propose un certain nombre de solutions. Souvent sous-estimée comme matériau de construction, la terre est pourtant utilisée encore aujourd’hui par plus d’un tiers de la population mondiale. Elle offre ...
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UNESCO unites staff and stakeholders from World Heritage sites and MAB reserves in Tanzania to raise capacities in business planning and proposal writing
Monday, 4 July 2016
From 23-25 June 2016, UNESCO brought together site managers from natural and cultural heritage sites in Tanzania, which are recognized as World Heritage and/or Man and Biosphere Reserves (MAB), community representatives, private partners and national authorities for a workshop to raise capacities in planning and writing project proposals. A total of 35 participants gathered near Kilimanjaro ...
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Satellite imagery helps monitor cultural heritage sites under threat
Thursday, 30 June 2016
Cultural heritage around the world suffers from intentional attacks, collateral damage, looting and the effects of natural disasters.  Reaching affected sites and areas quickly to monitor the situation, plan for restoration and prevent further loss often proves very difficult. Thanks to a partnership between UNESCO and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), ...
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Risk preparedness training workshop “Building Resilience of World Heritage Properties” at the Brandberg National Monument Area (Namibia)
Thursday, 30 June 2016
This workshop is part of UNESCO’s ongoing efforts to address the priorities of the Second Cycle of Periodic Reporting for the Africa region, which called for increased capacity-building in dealing with risks and threats to heritage properties at both site-level and regional-level, The training course was co-organized by the African World Heritage Fund, a UNESCO category 2 centre, in ...
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Winners announced: #OurWorldHeritage Instagram Competition
Monday, 27 June 2016
The World Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the winners of the #OurWorldHeritage photo and story competition. The Instagram campaign aimed to invite people to share their unique World Heritage stories and experiences with the rest of the global community. Over the course of the competition, more than 1800 posts with the hashtag #OurWorldHeritage were published on social media. Even ...
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World Heritage Committee to meet in Istanbul, Turkey, 10 to 20 July
Monday, 27 June 2016
The World Heritage Committee will examine proposals to inscribe 29 sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List during its 40th session (10 to 20 July), which will be chaired by Ambassador Lale Ülker, General Director for Overseas Promotion and Cultural Affairs at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The session will be held at the Istanbul Congress Centre. The Committee will examine the ...
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South Sudan ratifies the World Heritage Convention
Thursday, 23 June 2016
On 9 March 2016, the Government of the Republic of South Sudan officially deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage with the Director-General of UNESCO. South Sudan become the 192nd State Party to the World Heritage Convention on 9 June 2016, when the Convention entered into force for this country. To date, ...
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State of Conservation of the World Heritage Property “Historic Centre of Vienna”
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Over the last several weeks, the World Heritage Centre has received numerous messages from citizens and NGOs expressing their concerns regarding the development of the Vienna Ice Skating Rink, the Hotel Intercontinental and the Konzerthaus site, and other conservation issues within the boundaries of the property. It should be noted that the competent authorities of the State Party of the ...
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UNESCO Director-General addresses the Europe Lecture 2016 on heritage protection as a security issue
Tuesday, 14 June 2016
“The destruction of heritage is inseparable from the persecution of people. This is why we consider the protection of cultural heritage today as far more than a cultural issue. This has become a humanitarian imperative, and a security issue,” stated UNESCO’s Director-General Irina Bokova today in The Hague during the Europe Lecture 2016, organised by the European Lecture Foundation in ...
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The Government of South Sudan prepares its World Heritage Tentative List
Monday, 13 June 2016
Following South Sudan’s ratification of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in January 2016, UNESCO organized a technical workshop from 8 to 13 June 2016 in Juba to support the process of preparing South Sudan’s World Heritage Tentative List. Over ten representatives from ministries responsible for natural and cultural heritage, NGOs, and Juba University participated in the workshop, which ...
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2016 State of conservation reports now available online
Monday, 13 June 2016
At its 40th session to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 10 to 20 July 2016, the World Heritage Committee will examine the state of conservation of a number of World Heritage properties.  The full reports on 152 properties are now publicly available through the World Heritage Centre’ State of conservation Information System at the following Web address: https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc As part ...
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UNESCO’s Director-General condemns the Destruction of Nabu Temple
Saturday, 11 June 2016
UNESCO’s Director-General condemns the Destruction of Nabu Temple in Nimrud “The recent destruction of Nabu Temple is a new deliberate attack against the Iraqi people and against the shared values of humanity” said the Director General of UNESCO. “I condemn in the strongest manner this new crime and reiterate UNESCO’s determination to do whatever is needed to support the national responsible ...
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World Oceans Day: Healthy Oceans – Healthy Planet
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
We are living in a time of unprecedented change. As we celebrate our marine treasures this World Oceans Day, we at UNESCO are also reflecting on the work needed to sustain them as sea levels rise, and the water grows warmer and more acidic. This year, the effects of climate change have been multiplied by a strong El Niño that has brought record-breaking temperatures to much of the Pacific ...
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The Ngorongoro Declaration: A major breakthrough for African World Heritage and sustainable development
Monday, 6 June 2016
Experts from nearly 40 countries, including 12 outside the Africa region, gathered in Arusha (Tanzania) for the international conference "Safeguarding African World Heritage as a Driver of Sustainable Development" co-organized by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the United Republic of Tanzania and the People's Republic of China, from 31 May to 3 June 2016. In his opening statement, the ...
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Inclusion of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention ratification in Somalia’s National Development Plan
Monday, 6 June 2016
Policy makers and advisors from the Federal Government of Somalia and national heritage experts met on 6 June 2016 in Mogadishu to consider the benefits of ratifying the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. During a technical workshop organised by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education together with the Italian NGO CISP as part of the European-Union funded project ‘Reviving ...
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Go Wild for Life!
Sunday, 5 June 2016
Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the World Environment Day, 5 June 2016 Go Wild for Life! Wildlife is an integral part of our biosphere. It is not only essential for healthy ecosystems but also key to peace and sustainable development. Many communities depend on wildlife trade, and tourism related to wildlife, for their livelihoods. An estimated ...
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Syrian and international experts agree on emergency measures to safeguard Syria’s heritage
Saturday, 4 June 2016
Some 230 Syrian and international experts joined forces in a two-day meeting to assess damage to cultural heritage sites in Syria, develop methodologies and define priority emergency safeguarding measures for the country’s heritage. The expert meeting, held in Berlin from 2 to 4 June, was organized by UNESCO and Germany. It was opened by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, and Maria ...
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Director General opens Berlin expert meeting on the safeguarding of Syria's heritage
Thursday, 2 June 2016
UNESCO Director-General opened the Expert meeting on the safeguarding of syria's heritage, with Maria Böhmer, Minister of State to the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany. "Berlin embodies the power of culture to bring people together”, said Irina Bokova. More than 230 Syrian and international experts from all sides are joining forces to develop a common damage assessment ...
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From Kabul to Rome: International experts discuss challenges for heritage and sustainability
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
From 25 to 27 May, an international conference entitled “Cultural Heritage and Development Initiatives: a Challenge or a Contribution to Sustainability?” was held at the Palazzo Barnerini in Rome.  Organized by the UNESCO Office in Kabul together with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the World Bank, in cooperation with the Government of Italy, it focused on the relationship between ...
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UNESCO Director General and Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah celebrate the role of Cultural heritage for the future of Afghanistan
Friday, 27 May 2016
“Keeping History Alive” a UNESCO publication on safeguarding cultural heritage in post-conflict Afghanistan was launched in Kabul’s Babur Garden H.E. Chief Executive of Afghanistan Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. “Safeguarding heritage and diversity is more than a cultural issue. It is an issue of citizenship, bringing people together around shared values. To ...
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World Heritage and Tourism report shows sites at risk from climate change
Thursday, 26 May 2016
Climate change is fast becoming one of the most significant risks for World Heritage sites, according to the report “World Heritage and Tourism in a Changing Climate” released today by UNESCO, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). “Globally, we need to better understand, monitor and address climate change threats to World Heritage sites,” ...
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Message from the Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of 16th International Day for Biological Diversity
Friday, 20 May 2016
"The 2016 International Day for Biological Diversity is dedicated to the theme of ‘Mainstreaming Biodiversity, Sustaining People and their Livelihoods.’ This echoes powerfully the vision set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Change Agreement. I see this as a single agenda to chart a new course for people, peace and the planet for the next 15 years. ...
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State of conservation of Alto Douro Wine Region (Portugal)
Tuesday, 17 May 2016
Over the last several months, the World Heritage Centre has received numerous messages, through the NGO Platform Save the Tua, from individuals expressing their concern regarding the Foz Tua dam project, located inside the buffer zone, but outside the World Heritage property “Alto Douro Wine Region” limit. Those messages drew attention to the adverse impact it may have on the landscape, ...
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Director-General of UNESCO deplores severe damage at Church of Saint Simeon, in northern Syria
Tuesday, 17 May 2016
The Director-General of UNESCO strongly condemned the severe damage caused by an air-strike to the Church of Saint Simeon, part of the UNESCO World Heritage property of the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria. The byzantine Church was built in the year 490 AD on Mount Simeon and used to be a popular destination for worshippers and tourists alike. The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina ...
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Key Libyan and international partners unite to adopt an action plan for Libya’s heritage
Friday, 13 May 2016
Key UNESCO partners joined with the Organization to approve a new action plan to address emergency and short term interventions for the safeguarding of Libya’s cultural heritage following a three-day international expert meeting in the Tunisian capital this week. Organized with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Libya and in close cooperation with the Department of Antiquities of Libya and ...
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UNESCO holds consultations ahead of the International Expert Meeting in Berlin on Cultural Heritage in Syria
Thursday, 12 May 2016
In preparation for the UNESCO experts’ meeting in Berlin (2-4 June 2016) on the safeguarding of cultural heritage in Syria, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and UNESCO teams are pursuing consultations with representatives from Member States and experts across the board to assess the situation and the way forward. These actions are in line with the unanimous decision of the 199th session ...
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Message from the Director of the World Heritage Centre on World Migratory Bird Day
Tuesday, 10 May 2016
With the slogan “ … and when the skies fall silent?",  the World Migratory Bird Day 2016  on 10 May aims to highlight the incredible numbers of migratory birds being threatened and lost each year . This is often linked to illicit activities are various and the toll that they are taking is disastrous – millions of birds are being killed each year.  Such numbers are totally unsustainable and ...
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[in French only] Lancement d'un projet pour renforcer l'implication des communautés locales dans la conservation du Parc du W au Niger
Monday, 9 May 2016
[in French only] Une quarantaine de personnes s'est réunie le 3 mai dernier à Niamey pour le lancement du projet de « Gestion communautaire de la conservation des aires protégées » (COMPACT en anglais) au Parc du W au Niger, bien inscrit sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial depuis 20 ans. Ce projet, qui bénéficie d’un financement du gouvernement espagnol et du Programme de micro financement du ...
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Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of African World Heritage Day
Thursday, 5 May 2016
This first African World Heritage Day is very special. This is an opportunity to celebrate the wealth of Africa’s cultural and natural heritage, embodying outstanding universal values. This is a moment for the world to stand with Governments, local communities and societies to support one of the continent’s most precious resources. Africa’s cultural and natural heritage is a force for peace ...
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Monitoring Workshop for Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra, Albania
Friday, 29 April 2016
Thanks to a contribution of 4,992 USD from the International Assistance World Heritage Fund, the State Party of Albania organized a training workshop for the development of monitoring indicators for the World Heritage property "Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra”. The workshop took place in Berat, Gjirokastra and Tirana between 27 and 29 April 2016. In 2009, the World Heritage ...
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Increasing youth involvement in the promotion and protection of African World Heritage
Friday, 29 April 2016
The first Anglophone African Heritage Regional Youth Forum opened today on Robben Island World Heritage site in South Africa. The forum will take place from 29 April until 4 May. This first-of-its-kind forum is co-organized by the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), the Robben Island Museum (RIM) and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre with support from the Government of South Africa and the ...
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Cement giant vows to respect World Heritage in joint effort with IUCN and UNESCO
Friday, 29 April 2016
Building materials company CEMEX has committed to staying out of World Heritage sites and to building awareness of the need to protect them, following a collaboration with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. The commitment, confirmed in the firm’s 2015 Sustainable Development Report issued this week, is in line with the globally accepted ...
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UNESCO Director-General condemns murder of three guards at Garamba National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Friday, 29 April 2016
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, expressed sadness and anger after the latest violent attack of 23rd April at Garamba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The attack left three dead and two wounded among the guards of the Park. "I condemn this attack and killing of the guards at Garamba National Park. Once again I commend the courage of the guards who risk their lives to ...
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UNESCO experts take preliminary stock of destruction in World Heritage site of Palmyra
Wednesday, 27 April 2016
On their return from a technical rapid assessment mission to the Palmyra yesterday, UNESCO’s experts presented their preliminary findings regarding damages to the Syrian Arab Republic World Heritage site. Headed by the Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, the mission, from 24 to 26 April inspected both Palmyra’s museum and archaeological site. The mission was escorted by United ...
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International Maritime Organization approves “in principle” Particularly Sensitive Sea Area Status for Tubbataha Reefs
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Following years of preparation, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park received an “in principle” approval as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) from the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) last week. The endorsement is a major breakthrough in securing protection from the impacts of international shipping for the World Heritage site and a ...
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UNESCO rapid assessment mission to Palmyra
Monday, 25 April 2016
UNESCO has sent a Rapid Assessment Mission to the world Heritage site of Palmyra (Arab Syrian Republic), led by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, from 24 to 26 April 2016. The objective of the mission is to assess the overall state of conservation of Palmyra and identify the emergency safeguarding measures, including drafting a damage assessment of the site and the museum. The ...
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On Buddha’s Trail, from Lumbini to Tilaraukot
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
From Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova commended international efforts to combine safeguarding with the balanced development of a spiritual site that represents a universal message of peace, on 19 April 2016. Preceded by Buddhist chanting, Ms Bokova welcomed members of the International Scientific Committee for the Conservation and Management of ...
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Message from the Director of the World Heritage Centre on International Day for Monuments and Sites
Monday, 18 April 2016
Every year on 18 April, ICOMOS celebrates the “International Day for Monuments and Sites”, whose establishment was approved by the 22nd UNESCO General Conference in 1983. ICOMOS wishes to dedicate the 2016 International Day for Monuments and Sites to the heritage of sports, since sports have developed from the origin of humankind onwards and have left testimonies to the diversity of ...
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Director-General of UNESCO condemns new destructions in the ancient city of Nineveh, Iraq (Mosul)
Monday, 18 April 2016
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, condemns the destruction of the two historic gates of Mesqa and Adad, and parts of the old ramparts of the archaeological site of Nineveh (Mosul). "I condemn the destruction of the gates of Mesqa and Addad, which are new crimes in a long list of attacks against the cultural heritage of Iraq, after the destruction of the winged bull of the Nergal ...
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On anniversary of Nepal earthquake, a new partnership for heritage
Sunday, 17 April 2016
Saying that culture bears the soul of the Nepalese people, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova launched a new project for the rehabilitation of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site with the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr Ananda Prasad Pokharel, upon her arrival in Kathmandu today. The three-year project is the result of a partnership agreement with Hainan Province ...
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UNESCO Executive Board unanimous to protect Palmyra and other Syrian heritage
Saturday, 16 April 2016
The 199th session of UNESCO Executive Board unanimously adopted a decision regarding UNESCO’s role in “safeguarding and preservation Palmyra and other Syrian world heritage sites”, decision supported by the Russian Federation, South Africa, Germany, Belarus, Brazil, China, the United States, France, Greece, India, Italy, Lebanon, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Palau, Great Britain and Northern ...
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UNESCO reiterates call for unity and coordination to protect Syrian Cultural Heritage
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
In the context of the ongoing destruction and rapidly evolving situation of World Heritage sites in the Syrian Arab Republic, UNESCO held several information meetings in April to assess the situation and discuss the way forward. During an information meeting for all Member States held on 4 April at UNESCO Headquarters, Director-General Irina Bokova recalled the need for a global approach and ...
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Strengthening the role of local communities in the management and conservation of World Heritage Sites
Tuesday, 12 April 2016
A regional workshop for strengthening the role of local communities in the management and conservation of World Heritage sites was held from March 27 to 29, 2016 in Mauritania. Organized by the World Heritage Centre and the UNESCO Office for the Maghreb in collaboration with the Banc d'Arguin National Park, this workshop has emphasized the importance of local communities as a major player in ...
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Irina Bokova participates in the Smithsonian Academy discussion on Cultural Heritage under attack
Monday, 11 April 2016
The Director General of UNESCO took part in a High Level event on the protection of cultural heritage organized by the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex, in Washington DC. She presented UNESCO's role and work in the protection of heritage, both tangible and intangible, in times of conflict, calling for increased cooperation and coordination between all ...
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Cycle of Regional Thematic Consultations on sustainable management of the World Heritage properties of religious interest
Thursday, 7 April 2016
On 18 February 2016, the participants in the first Thematic Expert Consultation meeting on sustainable management of World Heritage properties of Religious Interest focused on South-Eastern and Mediterranean Europe successfully adopted the Conclusions and Recommendations of the meeting. From 16 to 18 February 2016, thanks to the support of Bulgaria, a cycle of Regional Thematic Consultations ...
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre calls for united action to protect vulnerable sites
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Mechtild Rössler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, acknowledges the great efforts of those engaged for World Heritage protection, and calls for civil society as a whole to increase its commitment to protecting World Heritage sites. World Heritage is humankind’s common heritage, and the responsibility for its conservation is shared by everyone.   The World Heritage Centre values ...
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UNESCO Director-General and President Vladimir Putin discuss the protection of Palmyra's cultural heritage
Sunday, 27 March 2016
Following the liberation of Palmyra, the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova, discussed with HE Mr Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, during a telephone conversation on 27 March 2016, the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage of Palmyra. "I stand ready to send a UNESCO emergency assessment experts' mission‎ to map the damages at the UNESCO World ...
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UNESCO Director-General welcomes the liberation of Palmyra
Friday, 25 March 2016
"I welcome the liberation of the Palmyra archeological site, martyr city inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which carries the memory of the Syrian people, and the values of cultural diversity, tolerance and openness that have made this region a cradle of civilization," said the Director General of UNESCO. "For one year, Palmyra has been a symbol of the cultural cleansing ...
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Reactive Monitoring Mission to The Sundarbans World Heritage property (Bangladesh)
Monday, 21 March 2016
As requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015 (Bonn, Germany), a joint Reactive Monitoring Mission involving the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will take place from 22 to 28 March 2016 to assess the overall state of conservation of the property. The mission will focus on issues that could seriously ...
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Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre meets with Moldovan Minister of Culture
Friday, 18 March 2016
The Minister of Culture from the Republic of Moldova, Ms Monica Babuc, visited the World Heritage Centre on 17 March 2016 to discuss with the Director, Ms Mechtild Rössler, and her colleagues collaboration on identifying, protecting and transmitting heritage from her country. The topic of economic benefits from sustainable tourism development for local communities was also covered. Currently ...
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New partnership will shed light on impact from fisheries on World Heritage marine sites
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Today, more than 30% of World Heritage marine sites struggle with unsustainable fisheries. Addressing this challenge has been a core focus of the World Heritage Marine Programme for years, supporting sites around the world in developing capacity like technology-assisted surveillance, and community education and monitoring programs. However, until now, a comprehensive analysis of the impacts ...
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Director of UNESCO Heritage Division deplores fatal attacks at African World Heritage sites
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
On 12 and 13 March, four checkpoints in the central sector of the Virunga National Park World Heritage site located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC), were attacked by rebel groups during a series of violent clashes. The RDC Armed Forces came to the rescue of the guards of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) to restore security to the area. Two ICCN guards were ...
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Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre meets with Secretary General of Europa Nostra
Friday, 11 March 2016
On 8 March the Director of the World Heritage Centre, Mechtild Rossler, met with Sneška Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra to discuss cooperation between the two organizations. Emphasis was placed on heritage sites under threat and the complementary role of NGOs and civil society in safeguarding World Heritage worldwide. Europe Nostra is a citizens’ movement for the safeguarding ...
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UNESCO and French and Swiss heritage professionals stand up for the safeguarding of Syrian heritage
Thursday, 10 March 2016
Syria possesses a cultural heritage of exceptional richness. Since 2011, this heritage has been seriously affected by conflict in the country, with important monuments, including those registered on UNESCO World Heritage List, facing destruction. Many archaeological sites have been raided and looted by armed groups, aiming for the illegal export of these archaeological objects and artefacts, ...
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Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
2015 saw countries across the world agree on the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Change Agreement. For UNESCO, these are a single agenda for advancing human rights and dignity, for eradicating poverty, for protecting the planet. Promoting gender equality stands at the heart of this agenda, as a basic human right and a transformational force for more just, ...
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Call for submissions: The World's Best Preservation Ideas
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Even before the World Heritage Convention of 1972, American historic preservationists understood their work in a worldwide context. Just over fifty years ago the Rains Committee traveled through 8 European countries to study their historic preservation programs. Many of the best ideas they found were enshrined in the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). On the 50th anniversary of ...
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Women on the frontline, protecting World Heritage
Monday, 7 March 2016
// It is increasingly recognized that culture has an essential role to play as a driver of sustainable development, contributing to the eradication of poverty and enhancing social inclusion. Culture helps to define people’s identities and determines the way they shape their future. Gender equality, which is a UNESCO priority, refers to the roles and responsibilities of men and women and ...
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Application Period for Herb Stovel Scholarship Fund Now Open
Monday, 7 March 2016
Another year of supporting our future heritage leaders The National Trust for Canada is now accepting applications for the Herb Stovel Scholarship Fund. Students studying built heritage and young professionals working in the field are invited to apply by May 27, 2016 for project bursaries or National Trust Conference attendance in 2016 or 2017. To view the Terms & Conditions and to learn ...
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Consultancy contract: technical assistance on nature conservation in the elaboration of a management planning document
Thursday, 3 March 2016
Procurement notice: consultancy contract to provide technical assistance to Albanian authorities in the elaboration of a management plan or other documented management system to be part of the nomination file for the extension of the existing World Heritage property “Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region” in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. As a partner in the ...
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Consultancy contract: technical assistance on cultural heritage for the elaboration of a management planning document
Thursday, 3 March 2016
Procurement notice: consultancy contract to provide technical assistance to Albanian authorities in the elaboration of a management plan or other documented management system to be part of the nomination file for the extension of the existing World Heritage property “Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region” in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. As a partner in the ...
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UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea partners with the UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme at the ITB Berlin
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
Under the motto “Protection, Prosperity and Conservation”, the Wadden Sea World Heritage and the UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme will be represented at the ITB Berlin, the world´s largest tourism fair, from 9 to 13 March 2016 in Berlin, Germany. The World Heritage Wadden Sea can be found in Hall 4.1, booth 227 and offers a varied and interesting programme, with Wadden ...
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Cyclone Winston Hits Fiji and its World Heritage Property
Tuesday, 1 March 2016
A severe tropical cyclone struck the Island Nation of Fiji in late February 2016, causing catastrophic destruction and human loss. It is with great sadness that the World Heritage Centre learnt of the tropical cyclone storm that struck Fiji, and wishes to express its deepest sympathy for the human losses as well as for the material damages caused by Cyclone Winston. According to various ...
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UNESCO and ICRC partner on the protection of culture heritage in the event of armed conflict
Monday, 29 February 2016
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, signed a partnership agreement paving the way for the two organizations to undertake joint projects to enhance the protection of cultural heritage in the event of armed conflict. “As the impartial, neutral and independent keeper of international humanitarian law, the ...
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Danger Listed site Belize Barrier Reef gets visionary integrated management plan
Monday, 29 February 2016
Earlier this week, the Government of Belize adopted its first Integrated Coastal Zone management plan—a blueprint for sustainable use of its rich marine resources. The plan’s endorsement is a second major step forward in meeting the conditions of the Desired State of Conservation for the Removal of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System from the List of World Heritage in Danger since the ...
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Marine scientists gather in Paris to explore World Heritage potential in the Arctic
Friday, 26 February 2016
Marine science experts from around the world gathered at UNESCO’s Headquarters in a two-day working meeting to explore possible new marine World Heritage sites in the Arctic. Experts discussed unique and exceptional Arctic features that could potentially merit inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list for their nature conservation values. The Arctic is home to geological features and ...
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Call for papers (CLOSED) - International Conference: Safeguarding African World Heritage as a Driver of Sustainable Development
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Proposals are now being accepted for presentation at the International Conference entitled ‘African World Heritage as a Driver of Sustainable Development’, to be held from 31 May to 3 June 2016 at the World Heritage property, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, in Arusha Tanzania. Open to all concerned with the added value of World Heritage conservation and sustainable development in Africa, ...
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Tour Guiding Manual for the Kasubi Tombs World Heritage site in Uganda published
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Thanks to the generous financing of a Japan Funds-in-Trust project to UNESCO for ‘Technical and financial assistance for the reconstruction of Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga, architectural masterpiece of the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi, Uganda, World Heritage property in Danger,’ an illustrated tour guidebook entitled ‘KASUBI: Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi Tour Guiding Manual-2015’ has been ...
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UNESCO and the European Commission join hands in promoting cultural routes for ‎sustainable development
Monday, 22 February 2016
UNESCO and the European Commission are launching a project to develop cultural routes that would benefit from the power of World Heritage sites to attract tourists to promote other cultural assets such as museums and festivals, for example, along selected European itineraries. Funded by the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-Sized ...
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Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta World Heritage property (Pakistan)
Friday, 19 February 2016
As requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015 (Bonn, Germany), a joint World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Reactive Monitoring mission will be undertaken during 12-16 April 2016 to assess the overall state of conservation of the property, including factors that constitute a serious threat to the property, and provide ...
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UNESCO to dispatch mission to Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore World Heritage property (Pakistan)
Friday, 19 February 2016
The World Heritage Committee at its 38th session (Doha, 2014) requested the State Party of Pakistan to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1st December 2015, an updated report on the state of conservation of the Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore property and the implementation of the decision of the World Heritage Committee. In this context, the current UNESCO mission to Lahore (21 ...
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UNESCO and Italy sign agreement establishing a centre on cultural heritage, cultural policies and development
Friday, 19 February 2016
Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO, and Paolo Gentiloni, Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, have signed an agreement on the establishment of a centre in Turin (Italy) that will conduct research and training relating to the economics of cultural heritage and cultural policies for development. Under the auspices of UNESCO, the International Training ...
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Annual Report 2015 World Heritage Marine Programme
Friday, 19 February 2016
The World Heritage Marine Programme is pleased to announce the release of its annual report, 2015: A Year in Review. Looking back on the past twelve months, there is a lot of progress to acknowledge. With the support of global partners, big strides have been made in protecting some of the world’s most spectacular places. In the Arctic, Russia’s Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve is now ...
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Call for proposal for the evaluation of the Lucio Costa Regional Heritage Management Training Centre UNESCO Category 2 Centre
Friday, 19 February 2016
The main objectives of this evaluation are to assess the Centre’s performance with respect to its objectives and functions, as specified in the agreement between UNESCO and the host Government, and its contribution to UNESCO’s strategic programme objectives and sectoral or intersectoral programme priorities and themes. The findings of the evaluation will serve as the basis for the Sector ...
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UNESCO Director-General calls on all parties to protect Yemeni heritage
Friday, 19 February 2016
“I am sincerely distressed by the recent attacks against cultural heritage in Yemen. These attacks increase the human suffering and deprive the people of Yemen of their culture, which is an essential element of their identity, a source of fulfillent and a major asset for the future recovery and development of the country” declared the Director General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova. According ...
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Launch of the publication 'World Heritage in Europe Today'
Thursday, 18 February 2016
World Heritage attracts and fascinates: media around the world publish thousands of articles about it every year and countries invest a great deal of work and money to get sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Yet not enough is known about the conservation and management efforts that go into protecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the 1000+ sites that are currently on the ...
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Steps to Enhance Cooperation Among the Seven Biodiversity-related Conventions Identified in Geneva
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Geneva, 18 February 2016 - Official Representatives of the Parties to seven global biodiversity-related conventions[1] met at the United Nations Office in Geneva from 8 to 11 February 2016 to explore ways to strengthen synergies and improve efficiency among the conventions with a view to enhancing their implementation at all levels. Assisted in their work by the heads and staff of the ...
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Call for participation: World Heritage Youth Forum 2016 At the Crossroads of Multi-Layered Heritage
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
As part of the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee and in the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO and the Istanbul Site Management Directorate are organizing the World Heritage Youth Forum 2016: “At the Crossroads of Multi-Layered Heritage” from 29 June to 12 July 2016. Young representatives, aged from 22 to 28, from ...
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UNESCO mourns passing of Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Paris, 16 February, 2016 - UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, expressed her deep sadness at the passing today of Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, the first Secretary-General of La Francophonie. “Boutros Boutros-Ghali devoted his life to promoting the ideals of a more just, peaceful and equitable world, the importance of democratizing ...
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Just Published for Comments: Draft Baseline Assessment report on the Lake Ohrid region in Albania
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
The draft Baseline Assessment report prepared under the coordination of ICOMOS and IUCN ECARO has been published for comments as part of the project ““Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid region” funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Environment of Albania. The Baseline Assessment report provides crucial ...
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Consultancy contract: Drafting of a Local Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Procurement notice: consultancy contract to lead the drafting of a Local Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management in Pogradec Municipality, Lake Ohrid region, Albania As a partner in the implementation of the project “Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid region”, the IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central ...
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Italy creates a UNESCO Emergency Task Force for Culture
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Paris, 15 February—UNESCO’s Director-General, Irina Bokova, and the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Paolo Gentiloni, will sign an agreement on the establishment of a Task Force of cultural heritage experts in the framework of UNESCO’s global coalition Unite for Heritage on 16 February in Rome. Under the agreement, UNESCO will be able to ask the Italian Government to make experts of the ...
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'Understanding rights practices in the World Heritage system' international dialogue and call for action
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
The international dialogue on "Understanding rights practices in the World Heritage system: lessons from the Asia-Pacific and the global area" took place in Caux, Switzerland from 18 to 19 January 2016. The meeting was organized by the University of Lucerne in cooperation with ICOMOS and IUCN, with support from the Swiss Network for International Studies, ICOMOS Norway and the Swiss National ...
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World Heritage Bureau and World Heritage Centre Director meet with 6 Biodiversity-related Conventions
Friday, 12 February 2016
The “Workshop on synergies among the biodiversity-related conventions” organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and was held from 8 to 11 February 2016 at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland. All 7 secretaries of the Biodiversity-related Conventions (Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild ...
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Call for Applications: Training Session by the Association of World Heritage Properties in France: “World Heritage Interpretation”
Monday, 8 February 2016
The Association of World Heritage Properties in France (ABFPM) is launching a call for candidates for the second national training session “Interpretation – World Heritage” which will be held from 7 to 9 March 2016 at the Arc-et-Senans Royal Saltworks (France).  This intensive and operational training is aimed towards personnel in charged with welcoming the public to World Heritage ...
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Director-General meets Slovak Republic Delegation to discuss Sustainable Tourism at World Heritage Sites
Friday, 5 February 2016
The Director General and the Director of the World Heritage Centre met on 5 February 2016 with a Delegation from Slovak Republic including Mr František Palko, State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Construction, and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic and Ms. Ivana Magátová, Director General of the Tourism Section of the Ministry of Transport, Construction, and Regional ...
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Marko Pogačnik (Slovenia) joins the family of UNESCO Artists for Peace
Friday, 5 February 2016
The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova designated the famous Slovenian sculptor Mr Marko Pogačnik as a UNESCO Artist for Peace on 5 February 2016. This title was bestowed upon Mr Pogačnik in recognition of his commitment to improving relationships between people and their environments, based on the concept of protection, education and sustainable development, to increase people’s ...
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900-year-old consecration ceremony held for the Timbuktu mausoleums
Thursday, 4 February 2016
Timbuktu (Mali), February 4 - A consecration ceremony of the Timbuktu mausoleums, last held in the 11th century, was held today at the initiative of the local community. This is the final phase of the cultural rebirth of the Timbuktu mausoleums after their destruction by the armed groups who occupied the city in 2012. The ceremony, held at the Mosque of Djingareyber, began in the early ...
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Message from Mechtild Rössler, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, for World Wetlands Day
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February, marking the date in 1971 when the Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention, was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar, drawing attention to the importance of wetlands. The theme for 2016, “Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods” brings the focus on the vital role of wetlands for the future of humanity and their ...
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The World Heritage Resource Manual Series – Now in Chinese
Tuesday, 26 January 2016
The World Heritage Resource Manual Series are intended to provide knowledge and assistance to State Parties in ensuring a representative and credible World Heritage List consisting of well-protected and effectively managed properties. Published for the first time in English and French language between 2010 and 2013, the Manual Series were a joint undertaking by the three Advisory Bodies of ...
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Halt of demolition operations on Saint-Louis in Senegal
Monday, 25 January 2016
On 19 January 2016, the Governor of the Region of Saint-Louis in Senegal signed a decree forbidding all demolition projects of older buildings on the island of Saint-Louis, inscribed on the World Heritage List since 2000. This welcome decision bears witness to the years of effort and hard work put in by managers of heritage sites in Senegal, supported by the World Heritage Centre and the ...
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In Davos, UNESCO Director General calls for stronger partnerships to Protect Cultural Heritage under attack
Thursday, 21 January 2016
Welcoming a growing alliance around the protection of cultural heritage under attack, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova appealed for reinforced advocacy, strengthened legislation and measures to fight impunity for war crimes and destruction of heritage, during an event held during the World Economic Forum in Davos on 21 January 2016. Welcoming a growing alliance around the protection of ...
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New Year's Message from Mechtild Rössler, Director of UNESCO's World Heritage Centre
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Dear friends and supporters of World Heritage, I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year on behalf of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.  2015 was a year with many challenges: World Heritage sites were threatened by natural disasters, terrorist attacks and ill-advised infrastructure projects. Many sites around the world are under serious threat, and protecting our heritage is as ...
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The Promise of Sydney conveys World Heritage agenda for the next decade
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
For the one-year anniversary of the IUCN World Parks Congress, UNESCO has published the proceedings of this Congress to highlight the recommendations of the global conservation community on World Heritage for the next decade. The Promise of Sydney for World Heritage sites agreed at the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 is to secure the highest level of international protection for our most ...
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Call for Applications: Earthwatch 2016 business skills programme for protected areas in Africa
Friday, 15 January 2016
Earthwatch is offering its annual opportunity for funded training and mentoring in organisational and business management practices to protected areas in Africa. The application period is now open until 26 February 2016. Earthwatch and its Earth Skills Network are looking to recruit 6 protected areas, who will each nominate 3 members of staff for a training programme. The training includes a ...
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In Memoriam: Jean-Paul L’Allier
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre has learnt with deep sadness of the recent passing of Mayor Jean-Paul L’Allier, founder and dedicated supporter of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. In 1991, as Mayor of Quebec City, Mr L’Allier brought together the Mayors of 41 World Heritage Cities from around the globe to lay the foundations for the creation of the Organization of World Heritage ...
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1st World Heritage Youth Forum in Asia urges young people to take action
Thursday, 7 January 2016
The 1st World Heritage Youth Forum (WHYF) in Asia, held from 25 November to 3 December 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, successfully concluded with serious and realistic suggestions by young people to promote participation in World Heritage preservation among their peers in the Asia-Pacific region. The WHYF in Asia, organized by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Cambodian National Commission ...
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Director-General condemns destruction of vestiges in the Ancient City of Bosra, a Syrian World Heritage site
Thursday, 24 December 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has condemned the destruction of parts of the Ancient City of Bosra during combats in the World Heritage site on 22 December 2015, as confirmed by the Syrian Directorate of Antiquities and Museums. There is fear of further deterioration to the site due to severe damage to the western courtyard adjacent to Bosra’s 2nd century Roman theatre and to ...
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Almaty Agreement adopted in the Fourth meeting of the Coordinating Committee on the World Heritage Serial Nomination of the Silk Roads
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
Following the Fourth meeting of the Coordinating Committee on the World Heritage Serial Nomination of the Silk Roads in Almaty, Kazakhstan, 24-25 November 2015, more than 50 representatives and experts from twelve countries together with UNESCO representatives, international experts and representatives of IICC Xi’an (China), Secretariat of Silk Roads Coordination Committee,  today released a ...
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French Marine Protected Areas Agency steps up World Heritage Conservation
Monday, 21 December 2015
The work at the World Heritage Marine Programme would not be possible without the help of its partners and donors. This month, the Marine Programme welcomes a new partnership with the French Agency for Marine Protected Areas.  France’s support will scale up our peer-to-peer learning platforms for managers and grow our on-the-ground capacity for marine conservation around the world. World ...
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The Management of Natural Heritage in Support of Sustainable Development: An Institutional Challenge in the Arab States
Monday, 21 December 2015
The World Heritage Centre organized an international meeting on natural heritage protection and management in the Arab States on 21 December at the UNESCO Headquarters.   The meeting entitled “The Management of Natural Heritage in Support of Sustainable Development: An Institutional Challenge in the Arab States” was co-chaired by Mechtild Rössler, Director of the Heritage Division and World ...
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A Grazing Pressure Reduction Strategy updated for Simien Mountains National Park
Monday, 21 December 2015
A new strategy has been devised to reduce grazing pressure on the Simien Mountains National Park (Ethiopia) (SMNP) World Heritage site and its surroundings through measures that harmonize grazing and conservation needs. SMNP in northern Ethiopia is a spectacular landscape, where massive erosion over millions of years has created jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices ...
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World Heritage Centre Director Mechtild Rossler discusses impact of climate change on World Heritage sites
Saturday, 19 December 2015
In the framework of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), Mechtild Rössler, Director of the World Heritage Centre, highlights the importance of understanding climate change and its impact on UNESCO World Heritage sites. “Climate change concerns all of us.  It concerns World Heritage sites, especially islands in the Pacific ...
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UNESCO Jakarta participates in the “UNESCO Regional Conference on Harmonizing Actions to Reduce Risks for Cultural Heritage in Asia and the Pacific”
Friday, 18 December 2015
UNESCO in partnership with Think City, a community-based urban rejuvenation organization in Penang, held a conference entitled “UNESCO Regional Conference on Harmonizing Actions to Reduce Risks for Cultural Heritage in Asia and the Pacific” from 7 - 9 December 2015 at Hotel Jen in Penang, Malaysia. The conference provided a platform from which to raise awareness across several disaster, ...
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#FestiveVirunga Matching Challenge Launches Today!
Friday, 18 December 2015
Virunga National Park, a World Heritage site in Democratic Republic of the Congo, has launched a #FestiveVirunga appeal to raise funds for the park’s incredible rangers. And now there is a matching challenge - for just 1 week, for every dollar you give to the park, a private donor will be giving 2 more! In true #TeamVirunga spirit, we would be so grateful if you would consider sharing this ...
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International Conference on “Culture for Sustainable Cities” (Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, 10-12 December 2015)
Friday, 18 December 2015
On 12 December 2015, the participants of the International Conference on “Culture for Sustainable Cities” (10-12 December 2015, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China) adopted the “Hangzhou Outcomes”, culminating in nine key recommendations to build on the power of culture for sustainable urban development. The International Conference on “Culture for Sustainable Cities” in Hangzhou, People’s ...
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The European Commission supports a new phase of the Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative
Friday, 18 December 2015
The European Commission continues its support of the Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initative (CAWHFI) by allocating 5 million Euro over the course of three years. The CAWHFI project is part of the World Heritage Programmes: “Natural World Heritage in the Congo Basin” and implemented by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, since 2004. This programme is initiated in the form of a ...
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United Nations exhibition highlights the protection of cultural heritage
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
On 15 December, the Representatives of Italy, Jordan, UNESCO, INTERPOL, UNODC officially opened an exhibition on the protection of cultural heritage that will be displayed at the United Nations Headquarters from 14 to 24 December. The exhibition is co-organized by Italy, Jordan, UNESCO, INTERPOL and UNODC with the aim to highlight the new partnership to act together against destruction and ...
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Malagasy government stepping up the conservation of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana
Friday, 11 December 2015
On 7 December 2015, during the COP 21, the Malagasy Minister of the Environment, Ecology, the Sea and the Forests, Ralava Beboarimisa, met with Edmond Moukala, Chief of the Africa Unit of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, to discuss progress made in implementing recommendations from the World Heritage Committee regarding the conservation of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana. The Minister ...
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Call for Participants: Regional Youth Forum for World Heritage in Africa (Deadline 31 January 2016)
Friday, 11 December 2015
UNESCO is pleased to announce the Call for Participants for the Regional Youth Forum for the World Heritage in Africa, which will take place 28 April to 4 May 2016 on Robben Island World Heritage property in South Africa. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2016. Part of the World Heritage Education Programme, this African Youth Forum seeks to provide a sustainable platform to ...
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Congonhas Museum will be inaugurated at World Heritage site
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
On 15 December, UNESCO in Brazil, the Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) and the Municipal Government of Congonhas will inaugurate one of the most important projects for preserving the country's memory: the Museum of Congonhas. The institution comes with the objective of enhancing perception and interpretation of the multiple dimensions of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de ...
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Qatar Development Fund boosts UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
The Qatar Development Fund (QDF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) signed today their first Memorandum of Understanding to support the implementation of UNESCO’s programme for the protection of cultural and natural heritage in emergency situations. The MOU provides a $2 million grant as part of a 2014 pledge by H.E. the Prime Minister of the ...
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COP21: President of Kiribati reaffirms commitment to World Heritage conservation
Monday, 7 December 2015
At COP21 on 5 December 2015, the President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, met with Mechtild Rössler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The President made a presentation at the event "UNESCO sites: a climate change observatory ", where he spoke of his strong commitment to World Heritage conservation. He described progress made with fishery regulations at the Phoenix Islands World ...
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Improved Safeguarding for Cultural Heritage Threatened by Armed Conflict and Natural Disasters Aim of Regional Conference
Monday, 7 December 2015
Armed conflict and natural disasters pose a dire threat to cultural heritage throughout the Asia-Pacific region. News stories are becoming all too frequent of priceless cultural treasures being damaged or lost forever and there are currently few measures in place to mitigate the effects of and recover from these dangers – even UNESCO World Heritage sites too often lack these ...
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COP21: Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre meets with Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Saturday, 5 December 2015
On 5 December 2015, Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre Mechtild Rössler met with Mr Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to discuss synergies among biodiversity-related Conventions, and joint work on reporting mechanisms. Both agreed to envisage to report to their statutory bodies and to prepare for joint events at the World ...
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International Expert Meeting on the Responsibility to Protect as applied to the Protection of Cultural Heritage
Thursday, 3 December 2015
UNESCO organized an International Expert Meeting on the Responsibility to Protect as applied to the Protection of Cultural Heritage from 26 to 27 November 2015. The primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss the concept of Responsibility to Protect and its possible application to the protection of cultural heritage. Participants included 22 distinguished specialists and practitioners ...
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2015-2016 World Heritage Map Published
Thursday, 3 December 2015
The latest version of the World Heritage map, produced by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and National Geographic Maps with the generous support of Turkey, can now be ordered from the World Heritage Centre website. The featured image on the Map presents the Historic Areas of Istanbul in Turkey, country hosting the next session of the World Heritage Committee in July 2016. This poster-sized ...
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Government of Belize bans offshore oil exploration at Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage site
Wednesday, 2 December 2015
At its cabinet meeting yesterday, the Belize government approved a policy that will legally ban offshore exploration in all seven areas that make up the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage area. The decision will effectively exclude the entire World Heritage area from any future oil exploration and make the site consistent with the World Heritage Committee’s position that oil ...
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Striving toward Sustainable Tourism at the World Heritage sites in Southeast Asia
Wednesday, 2 December 2015
In the framework of the project entitled “The Power of Culture: Supporting Community-Based Management and Sustainable Tourism at World Heritage Sites in Malaysia and Southeast Asia” made possible thanks to support from the Government of Malaysia via the Malaysia Funds-in-Trust (MFIT) under the Malaysia-UNESCO Cooperation Programme (MUCP), UNESCO is spearheading a new approach to sustainable ...
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COP21: German Environment Minister meets with Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Monday, 30 November 2015
On 29 November 2015, Barbara Hendricks, Federal Environment Minister for Germany, met with Mechtild Rössler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre at the occasion of COP21. Discussion focused on collaboration in the field of natural heritage through capacity-building workshops on Vilm Island, bilateral support for World Heritage projects, as well as key issues for cultural heritage ...
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Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation joins Marine World Heritage
Friday, 27 November 2015
The Arctic stretches across the top of the planet, spanning 5.5 million square miles. Its icy waters are home to wildlife found nowhere else, including bowhead whales, narwhals, and walrus. The Arctic is also ground zero for climate change. Rising temperatures and melting sea ice are opening up new shipping routes and potential oil and gas developments. IUCN, International Union for the ...
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Regional heritage management training centre - Lucio Costa Centre establishes its governance offices
Friday, 27 November 2015
On 26-27 November 2015, at a meeting held within the framework of a signed agreement between Brazil and UNESCO the first Board of Directors of the Regional Heritage Management Training Centre – Lucio Costa (CLC), a Category 2 Centre, was established under the auspices of UNESCO. Representatives from the Brazilian Government, the General Directorate of UNESCO, from the Portuguese-speaking ...
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Stepping up capacity to assist East Rennell’s removal from Danger List
Thursday, 26 November 2015
The Solomon Islands host a chain of coral atolls in the western Pacific, about 1800 kilometers northeast of Australia. The southernmost island in the group is Rennell Island. At 86 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide, Rennell is the largest raised coral atoll in the world. East Rennell, on the southern end of Rennell Island, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998 for its role as ...
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Marine World Heritage at COP21
Thursday, 26 November 2015
Beginning next week, world leaders are convening in Paris for the 21st Conference of Parties (also known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference). Their goal: to achieve a universal agreement on climate, aimed at keeping global warming below two degrees centigrade. The Marine World Heritage Programme will be there to share climate change concerns from the 47 ocean places around the world that ...
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Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre visits Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
On 24 November 2015, at the occasion of a visit to Viet Nam to attend the celebration of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO, Mechtild Rossler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, visited Ha Long Bay World Heritage site. Accompanying her were Mr. Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO, and Mr. Pham Sanh Chau of the ...
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20th General Assembly of the World Heritage Convention adopts new policy on sustainable development
Monday, 23 November 2015
On 19 November 2015, the 20th General Assembly of the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention adopted a Policy on the integration of a sustainable development perspective into the processes of the Convention. The overall goal of the policy is to assist States Parties, practitioners, institutions, communities and networks, through appropriate guidance, to harness the potential of ...
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HIA & EIA Discussion held at World Heritage General Assembly Side Event
Friday, 20 November 2015
The World Heritage Centre, with the participation of ICOMOS, IUCN and ICCROM, organized a side event on Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) on the occasion of the 20th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention (UNESCO Headquarters, 18-20 November 2015). More than 80 representatives of States Parties to the ...
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Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage property (Australia)
Thursday, 19 November 2015
A reactive monitoring mission by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) to the assess the state of conservation of the “Tasmanian Wilderness” World Heritage site will take place from 23 to 29 November, at the invitation of Australia and in keeping with the request made by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session ...
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Nine new members elected to World Heritage Committee
Thursday, 19 November 2015
The 20th General Assembly of the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention met from 18 to 20 November 2015 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, under the chairmanship of H.E. Mr Jose Filipe Mendes Moraes Cabral, Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Portugal to France, convening the 191 States Parties to the World Heritage Convention.  During the session, the States ...
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UNESCO Director-General condemns the murder of a guard at Okapi Wildlife Reserve, World Heritage site
Thursday, 19 November 2015
On November 13, 2015, a guard of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) was the victim of an attack that cost him his life at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He was deployed to a post at Zunguluka, one of the entrances to the park, when he was targeted by a group of armed militiamen (Mai Mai). "I ...
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World Heritage Youth Project on Marine Biodiversity & Climate Change in Panama: Call for Participants
Thursday, 19 November 2015
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the Call for Participants for the Caribbean World Heritage Youth Project on Marine Biodiversity & Climate Change in Panama. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre in cooperation with Mar Viva Foundation will organise the Youth Project from 25 (arrival 24) to 29 (departure 30) January 2016 in Panama. We welcome the participation of all ...
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TV weather presenters interpret climate change impacts on World Heritage sites
Thursday, 19 November 2015
The World Meteorological Organization is launching a series of climate change videos featuring TV weather presenters ahead of the COP21 climate conference (21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) to be held in France from 30 November to 11 December 2015. If humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, the ...
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May 5th: African World Heritage Day
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
On 16 November 2015, the 38th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO adopted a resolution proclaiming May 5th as African World Heritage Day, in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of UNESCO’s decision to create the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) (2006-2016). This Resolution, in line with UNESCO’s Priority Africa programme, is aimed to increase international awareness of African ...
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Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre meets with Haitian Minister of Culture
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
On 17 November 2015, the Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Mechtild Rössler and her team met with the Haitian Minister of Culture, Ms Dithny Joan RATON. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the field of World Heritage, including projects at the Citadel (of the National History Park – Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers World Heritage site) and the need to revise the ...
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The Director-General of UNESCO expresses solidarity with France following the attacks in Paris
Saturday, 14 November 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today condemned the attacks, unprecedented in the history of France, perpetrated in Paris on 13 November. Ms Bokova said, “On behalf of UNESCO and in my own name, I present my most heartfelt condolences to the people of France and to all the mourning families so terribly bereft by these barbaric acts. This crime affects us all. It represents an ...
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UNESCO celebrates 10 years of achievements of the African World Heritage Fund
Friday, 13 November 2015
On the occasion of the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Stanley Mutumba Simataa, President of the 38th session of the General Conference, and His Excellency Mr. Jean-Marie Adoua, President of the African Group, hosted a side event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the creation of the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) and ...
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Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre meets team from the European Bank for Reconstruction (EBRD)
Friday, 13 November 2015
The Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre has met with the team from the European Bank for Reconstruction and exchanged views on heritage impact assessments related to World Heritage properties, especially for consultations on cultural heritage within ESIA processes. Participants from the EBRD included Debbie Cousins, Team Leader for Environmental and Sustainability; Elizabeth Smith, ...
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Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities gives $200,000USD for Arab States World Heritage sites conservation
Thursday, 12 November 2015
On 12 November 2015, H.E. Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and Chairperson of the Board of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), presented a contribution of $200,000 USD to Mounir Bouchenaki, Director of ARC-WH to support the implementation of  the Arab States Regional Programme. Mechtild Rössler, Director of ...
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UNESCO and IUCN welcome new no-go pledge for World Heritage sites by Tullow Oil
Thursday, 12 November 2015
UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, the official advisory body on natural World Heritage, have welcomed a new commitment by British company Tullow Oil plc to stay out of World Heritage sites. The firm had received a licence to explore for oil in an area overlapping Kenya’s World Heritage-listed Lake Turkana National Parks. The World ...
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World Heritage Centre Director and Panama Minister of Environment discuss conservation issues in Coiba National Park
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
On 10 November 2015, World Heritage Centre Director Mechtild Rössler, and Panama Minister of Environment Mirei Endara, met for the first time since the establishment of the new government in Panama. The meeting focused on conservation issues in Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection and the forthcoming mission to the transboundary site (with Costa Rica) Talamanca ...
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Modern Heritage: Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre meets with DOCOMOMO Chair
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
The meeting between Mechtild Rössler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and Ana Tostões on 10 November 2015 focused on conservation and documentation of Modern Heritage worldwide and allowed to strengthen the links between the World Heritage Centre and DOCOMOMO (International Committee for Documentation and Conservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the modern ...
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Syrian Antiquities Director attends General Conference and meets with UNESCO Director-General to discuss heritage protection
Monday, 9 November 2015
Today Mr Mamoun Abdulkarim, Director-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM, Syrian Arab Republic) met with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, Assistant Director-General for Culture Francesco Bandarin, and Director of the World Heritage Centre Mechtild Rössler, as well as experts in the field of heritage conservation. Discussions focused on the state of the art of cultural heritage in ...
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2015 WHITRAP Asia-Pacific Region Training on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL)
Monday, 9 November 2015
Pacific Region Training on HUL in Shanghai (China) 14-17 December 2015 The 2015 WHITRAP Asia-Pacific Region Training on Historic Urban Landscaoe (HUL) aims to update professionals on the what, why and how of HUL with the latest developments in the field. Furthermore, through this training course, WHITRAP seeks to strengthen and expand the specialist network for HUL in this area of the world ...
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Exceptional cooperation for updating Cabo Verde’s Tentative List
Friday, 6 November 2015
On 22 October 2015, the UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar united 31 experts, site managers, advisory body and community representatives in Cabo Verde to update the national Tentative List of natural and cultural properties Cabo Verde is considering nominating for future UNESCO World Heritage inscription. A success story The first Cabo Verde’s Tentative List, submitted to the World Heritage ...
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World Heritage Volunteers 2016 - Call for Projects
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
The World Heritage Centre (WHC) is pleased to announce the Call for Projects for the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Campaign 2016. In the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the Initiative is led by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC) in collaboration with the Co-ordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS), European Heritage Volunteers (as a ...
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Emergency support for elephant crisis in DRC
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
The Rapid Response Facility has made an emergency grant to Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to help tackle the continuing elephant poaching crisis there. Over 215 elephants have been killed in the past 18 months, and the park’s elephant population is now estimated to have fallen to between 1,100-1,400 individuals. If the poaching continues unchecked, it could lead to ...
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Published: Our Common Heritage: the Finnish National World Heritage Strategy 2015 – 2025
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture has published a positive strategic plan for the preservation of world’s heritage for the next ten years.  The publication entitled Our Common Heritage focuses mainly on the national strategy for heritage preservation, but encourages also the collaboration on Nordic and international levels, particularly with properties in the developing ...
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Korean National Commission for UNESCO donates 100,000 USD to World Heritage Fund
Monday, 2 November 2015
On 1st November 2015, the Korean National Commission for UNESCO announced a donation of 100,000 USD to the World Heritage Fund. The announcement was made at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris by the Korean National Commission Secretary-General, Mr Dong-seok Min, in the presence of UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, and the Director of the World Heritage Centre, Ms Mechtild Rössler. The ...
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International Course on First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis
Monday, 2 November 2015
Many different types of professionals respond to an unfolding crisis.This course provides strategies for interlocking culture specialists with humanitarian specialists during an emergency situation and aims to unify these sometimes conflicting perspectives. The course imparts practical skills and knowledge for taking simple measures to secure and stabilize endangered cultural heritage ...
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Scientists convene in Paris to explore World Heritage in High Seas
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Christmas Eve 1968 might seem like a strange date to mark as a pivotal point in our understanding of Earth. Yet it was on that date that William Anders of Apollo 8 took the first color photo of earth from afar rising above the grey surface of the moon. Now nearly five decades later we have realized we live on an ocean world and yet protection of the open ocean – the high seas - has still ...
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Proposal for wind park offshore from Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage site rejected
Monday, 26 October 2015
UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre welcomes the U.K. government's decision to reject the planning permission for the Navitus Bay Wind Park proposal offshore from the World Heritage property Dorset and East Devon Coast, often referred to as Jurassic Coast. This decision followed a detailed application review process which took into consideration the importance of the World Heritage site inscribed ...
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A 7000 Eur Grant for a Project Awarded to a young person from the Mediterranean
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
Call for Applications for Cultural Mediterranean Projects. The Marc de Montalembert grant - 7000 euros - helps young people from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and below 28 years of age to undertake a project corresponding to a personal vocation and dedicated to the cultures or arts and crafts of the Mediterranean. Since 1994 Twenty five projects have been implemented by winners ...
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Albania supports UNESCO's efforts for the Lake Ohrid region
Thursday, 8 October 2015
The Albanian government has joined the EU in supporting UNESCO’s project aimed at the sustainable development of the Lake Ohrid region, a transboundary region in Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Two-thirds of Lake Ohrid is inscribed as a World Heritage site on the Macedonian side of the lake. The protection of this site would be further reinforced by extending World ...
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Shell’s departure ends oil threat to Arctic gem
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
On September 27, six weeks after it began exploratory drilling off the Northwest Coast of Alaska, Royal Dutch Shell announced that it is abandoning its quest for Arctic oil. Shell’s decision to cease operations in the Chukchi Sea is excellent news for the Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve nearby. The Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve is the only marine World Heritage site in ...
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Biodiversity Award of Prince Albert III of Monaco Foundation given to Emmanuel de Merode, Director of Virunga National Park
Monday, 5 October 2015
During the eighth Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Awards prize-giving ceremony, held in Monaco on 2 October 2015, H.S.H. Prince Albert II presented the Biodiversity Award to Emmanuel de Merode for his outstanding commitment to the preservation of the biodiversity of the Virunga National Park, one of five World Heritage sites of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Each year, the ...
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UNESCO Director-General condemns the destruction of the Arch of Triumph in Palmyra - "Extremists are terrified of history"
Monday, 5 October 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, strongly condemned the destruction of the Arch of Triumph in Palmyra, a civil monument two thousand years old and symbol of the city inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. "This new destruction shows how extremists are terrified by history and culture – because understanding the past undermines and delegitimizes their claims – and embodies an ...
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Turin to build on EXPO theme by showcasing sustainable management of UNESCO designated territories
Monday, 5 October 2015
From 13 to 16 October 2015, Turin will host the 3rd World Forum on Local Economic Development and launch the EXTO-EXPO 2015 programme. Within this framework, the Centro Studi Silvia Santagata-Ebla (CSS-Ebla, Turin, Italy), is organising, with the support of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, Venice (Italy), the pilot edition of a capacity-building workshop on the ...
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State of conservation of Venice and its lagoon (Italy)
Sunday, 4 October 2015
In October 2015, a joint UNESCO/ICOMOS/RAMSAR reactive monitoring mission will take place to the World Heritage site "Venice and its lagoon”(Italy), as requested by the World Heritage Committee to assess current conditions at the property. The World Heritage property of Venice and its lagoon was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre closely follows ...
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Joint Statement by the Liaison Group of the Biodiversity-related Conventions on the occasion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 25-27 September 2015
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
Biodiversity and sustainable development are inextricably linked. Biodiversity, at the level of ecosystems, species and genes, forms the foundation of the Earth’s life support systems and provides the services that underpin human lives and prosperity. Our social and economic well-being depends on biodiversity, as does our future. World leaders are now gathered at United Nations Headquarters ...
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UNESCO to develop capacities of World Heritage site managers in Romania
Monday, 28 September 2015
Sustainable planning and management of tourism is one of the most pressing challenges facing the World Heritage Convention today and is the focus of the UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme. The workshop on “Protecting World Heritage: Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Tourism Planning” in Romania will set the basis for the development of a value-based management ...
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World Tourism Day, 27 September 2015: “One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities”
Sunday, 27 September 2015
The UNESCO Heritage Division and its World Heritage Centre is very pleased to participate in World Tourism Day, especially given the collaboration of the World Heritage Convention with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in efforts to develop sustainable tourism. World Heritage sites are the most outstanding cultural and natural places in the world, so they are often among the most ...
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Impunity for war crimes against cultural heritage must stop
Saturday, 26 September 2015
New York, 26 September — The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today welcomed transfer of an alleged extremist to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to be tried for destroying religious and historical monuments in Mali. "I commend Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and the authorities of Mali and Niger for transferring the first suspect to the ICC accused of the war crime of ...
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Second Transboundary Meeting for Lake Ohrid region
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
The second Transboundary Platform Meeting of the project “Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid region” will take place on 2 October 2015 in Ohrid, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This initiative is part of a total of six meetings that aim to support the Albanian and Macedonian governments in their efforts to ...
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Mechtild Rössler appointed Director Division for Heritage & World Heritage Centre
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Mechtild Rössler has been appointed Director of the Division for Heritage and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. An expert in both cultural and natural heritage and the history of planning, Ms Rössler was appointed in 2013 to the post of Deputy Director of the World Heritage Centre. Since 2014, as Deputy Director of the Division for Heritage, her tasks included overseeing teams of the ...
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West Norwegian Fjords and Glacier Bay join forces to strengthen conservation in marine World Heritage
Monday, 21 September 2015
Last month, the Marine World Heritage Programme traveled to Norway to facilitate an exchange between the West Norwegian Fjords - Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord and Glacier Bay National Park. These two marine World Heritage sites share a challenge and an opportunity: both are popular cruise ship destinations and are threatened by pollution from tourism traffic. In Glacier Bay, a competitive ...
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Jaeger-LeCoultre helps Cocos Island National Park fight poaching
Monday, 21 September 2015
Illegal fishing threatens 30% of Marine World Heritage sites, and resources for monitoring and enforcement are always a challenge. Thanks to long-time World Heritage partner Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cocos Island National Park’s efforts to fight illegal fishing recently got a major boost. The Swiss watch manufacture donated 30,000 euros, raised through the auction of diving watches inspired by World ...
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UNESCO workshop “African World Heritage: challenges, opportunities and prospects” held 9-11 September 2015
Thursday, 17 September 2015
Following the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee and in view of the 10th anniversary of UNESCO/African Union launching of the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), the World Heritage Centre brought together African heritage experts to reflect on the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in the Africa region at a two and half day workshop held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris ...
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1st Youth Regional Forum for World Heritage in Asia: Call for Participants
Monday, 14 September 2015
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the Call for Participants for the First Youth Regional Forum for the World Heritage in Asia. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO will organize the forum from 25 November to 3 December 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We welcome the participation of all interested young future experts. The forum ...
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New Episode of Patrimonito’s World Heritage Adventures Available
Sunday, 13 September 2015
The thirteenth Episode of the Patrimonito cartoon films on the theme of World Heritage and Biodiversity is now available. The plot is set in the World Heritage site of the Sundarbans National Park located in India. The Sundarbans contains the world’s largest area of mangrove forests and is home to numerous rare and endangered species, including tigers, mammals, birds and reptiles. In this ...
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Corps established to strengthen security in DRC National Parks
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
The World Heritage Centre congratulates the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the establishment of a Corps with the aim of securing national parks. On 15 June 2015 the DRC published decree n° 15/012 on the establishment of a Corps in charge of securing national parks (Corps en charge de la sécurisation des Parcs Nationaux, or CorPPN) and related nature reserves. The CorPPN will ...
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World Heritage Site Management Workshop in Belgium
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
The City of Brussels recently hosted a workshop entitled "Inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List: New perspectives for local development", which took place on 8 September 2015 at Brussels City Hall in the World Heritage site of La Grand-Place, Brussels (Belgium). The workshop focused on issues specific to site management for properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. Expert ...
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Bhutan 2015: Workshop and Forum on the Cultural Landscape and Sustaining its Significance
Monday, 7 September 2015
UNESCO World Heritage Centre and UNESCO New Delhi Office, in close collaboration with the Department of Culture of the Royal Government of Bhutan, held the 2015 Bhutan Workshop and Forum on Cultural Landscape and Sustaining its Significance (22 July to 7 August 2015). This activity was financially supported by the NGO Oriental Cultural Heritage Sites Protection Alliance (Paris, France) and ...
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Director-General Irina Bokova expresses consternation at the destruction of the Temple of Bel in Palmyra
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, expressed profound dismay as she condemned the destruction of the Temple of Bel in Palmyra, one of the most important 1st century CE religious monuments in the Middle East, a construction unique in its design. “The destruction of Palmyra constitutes an intolerable crime against civilization but 4,500 years of history will never be erased,” the ...
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Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova firmly condemns the destruction of Palmyra's ancient temple of Baalshamin, Syria
Monday, 24 August 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO firmly condemns the destruction of the ancient temple of Baalshamin, an iconic part of the Syrian site of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. “The systematic destruction of cultural symbols embodying Syrian cultural diversity reveals the true intent of such attacks, which is to deprive the Syrian people of its knowledge, its identity and history. One week ...
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Director-General Irina Bokova deplores the loss of two leading scholars of Syrian antiquity
Friday, 21 August 2015
The Syrian cultural heritage community suffered two immense blows within one week with the murder of archaeologist Khaled Assad in Palmyra and the killing of the Assistant Director of laboratories at the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums Qasem Abdullah Yehiya. “I am both saddened and outraged to learn of the brutal murder of Khaled Asaad, who oversaw antiquities at the UNESCO ...
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Director-General Irina Bokova condemns the destruction of the Mar Elian monastery in Syria
Friday, 21 August 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO strongly condemns the destruction of the Mar Elian monastery located in the Syrian town of al-Qaryatayn. The monastery is a major pilgrimage site for Syria’s Christian community, with yearly festivities in honor of Saint Elian drawing thousands of visitors. “The intentional targeting and systematic destruction of the cultural heritage of Syria is reaching ...
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Building capacity in the Galapagos Islands to strengthen fisheries compliance
Friday, 14 August 2015
World Heritage marine sites are only as effective as their compliance programs, and marine protected areas around the world struggle to combat illegal fishing. With limited resources available for surveillance and compliance, it is vital to have good systems in place to identify hotspots and track violations. In the four Marine World Heritage sites that make up Eastern Tropical Pacific ...
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World Heritage Volunteers 2015 Action Camps welcome the International Youth Day on 12 August
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
On the occasion of International Youth Day, over ten Action Camps will be carried on in the framework of the World Heritage Volunteers 2015 campaign. Most of these Action Camps are  led youth from all around the world. This year, the theme of International Youth Day is Youth Civic Engagement. World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) campaign for 2015 seeks to mobilize and involve young people and ...
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Job Vacancy: Deputy Director, World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (WHITRAP Shanghai)
Friday, 7 August 2015
Job Vacancy: Deputy Director of the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO, Shanghai Center The World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO, Shanghai Center (WHITRAP Shanghai) announces the vacancy of the position of Deputy Director, from 1 August ...
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State of conservation of Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Tuesday, 4 August 2015
Over the last several months,the World Heritage Centre has been receiving numerous messages from citizens and NGOs expressing their concern regarding the A303 tunnel project, located within the boundaries of the World Heritage property “Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites”, and the adverse impact it may have on the landscape, archaeological remains, and hydrogeology and ecology of the ...
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UNESCO and Iraq launch project for conservation of World Heritage site of Samarra
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
UNESCO and Iraq today signed an agreement for the Conservation and Management of the World Heritage site of Samarra Archaeological City, which will start with the restauration of the Great Mosque and Al-Malwiyah Minaret. The site has been on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger since 2007. The agreement was signed at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris by Ahmed Abdullah Abed Abed, Iraqi ...
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Vacancy: Integrated Management Planning Capacity Building Expert
Tuesday, 28 July 2015
European Union and UNESCO initiative: "Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid Region" IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) is seeking to contract a consultant to develop and implement an integrated capacity-building programme with particular emphasis on management effectiveness, transboundary ...
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Historic Local community meeting in New Caledonia to strengthen World Heritage conservation
Monday, 20 July 2015
From 3 to 4 July 2015, almost 120 people that are involved in the management of the World Heritage site Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems (France) met on the island of Ouvéa (Gossanah tribe) to share best practices. Unique management system Today, 13 management committees are set up across New Caledonia. They regularly exchange views, opinions and proposals ...
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Director-General praises the people of Timbuktu for the reconstruction of the city’s mausoleums
Sunday, 19 July 2015
Timbuktu, Mali, 19 July—The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova yesterday visited Timbuktu whose mausoleums have been rebuilt three years after they were destroyed by armed groups. During her visit, Ms Bokova paid tribute to the local communities without whom the reconstruction could not have been carried out. The Mayor of the city and the Imam of the Great Mosque of Djingareyber met ...
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Aggtelek National Park, Hungary celebrates 20 years on World Heritage List
Friday, 17 July 2015
Aggtelek National Park (ANP) was established in 1985 to protect the uniquely rich natural and cultural heritage in the region, and in particular the Gömör-Torna karst aquifer and geologic formations. The first of Hungary's national parks, it later added equestrian tourism and environmental education programmes to its already popular cave tours and surface tours. In 2007, the ANP Directorate ...
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Call for applications for the new edition of the Masters in "World Heritage and Cultural Projects for Development” - English and Spanish
Thursday, 16 July 2015
The call for applications for the new edition of the Masters in "World Heritage and Cultural Projects for Development", offered by the University of Turin, the Polytechnic of Turin, (University of Barcelona for the Spanish edition)  and the International Training Centre of ILO, in collaboration with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and ICCROM, is now open. The programme is intended for ...
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UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova Presents World Heritage Certificate to President Peña Nieto of Mexico
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Director-General Irina Bokova presented the President of Mexico, HE Enrique Peña Nieto, the certificate of inscription to UNESCO’s World Heritage List of the Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System during his official visit to UNESCO Headquarters today. The presentation of the certificate took place in the context of an official ceremony in the presence of the Chairperson of the ...
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Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage announced
Thursday, 16 July 2015
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today announced an Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage upon the conclusion of a two-day expert meeting held at UNESCO. The plan responds to the continued threat the ongoing conflict poses to the country’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. “It is evident that the destruction of their culture directly affects the ...
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Private Sector partners for World Heritage meet in Bonn during 39th Committee session
Thursday, 9 July 2015
A World Heritage partners’ event and panel discussion took place on 2nd July hosted by the German Television Deutsche Welle in Bonn, on the occasion of the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee. The Partners' event, following a successful first edition in Doha in 2015, provided a platform for discussing private sector partners’ contributions to World Heritage conservation and ...
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World Heritage Committee announces 2016 meeting in Istanbul, 24 new sites inscribed in Bonn
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee ended its meeting today announcing it will hold its next session in Istanbul, Turkey, from 10 to 20 July 2016. During this year’s session the Committee, which was chaired by Maria Böhmer, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office and member of the Bundestag, inscribed 24 new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and approved extensions to three ...
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UNESCO takes World Heritage to Archeologists
Tuesday, 7 July 2015
From July 1 to 3, 2015, University of Zimbabwe hosted the Biennial Conference of the Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists (ASAPA). With the financial support of UNESCO Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) and other partners, UZ successfully met the challenge of gathering a large number (approximately 250) of professionals and students from Southern African Region and ...
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Sites in Japan, Turkey, Mexico, Uruguay inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, extension of Spanish site approved
Sunday, 5 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee this afternoon approved the inscription of four cultural sites on the World Heritage List: Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining in Japan, Ephesus in Turkey, Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System in Mexico, and Fray Bentos Cultural-Industrial Landscape in Uruguay. The Committee also approved the ...
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Sites in Norway, Germany, Israel, UK and USA inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Sunday, 5 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee this morning approved the inscription of five cultural sites on World Heritage List: Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site in Norway, Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District with Chilehaus in Germany, Necropolis of Beth She’arim—a Landmark of Jewish Revival in Israel, The Forth Bridge in Scotland (United Kingdom) and San Antonio Missions in the United States of ...
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Sites in Denmark, France and Turkey inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Saturday, 4 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee this afternoon approved the inscription of five cultural sites on World Heritage List. Two Danish sites were added to the List: Christiansfeld, a Moravian Church Settlement and The Par Force Hunting Landscape in North Zealand. The Climats, terroirs of Burgundy and Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars, both in France, were also inscribed alongside the Diyarbakir ...
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Sites in China, Iran, Mongolia and Singapore inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Saturday, 4 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee this morning approved the inscription of six cultural sites on World Heritage List: Tusi Sites (China), Susa, Cultural Landscape of Maymand (both in the Islamic Republic of Iran), Singapore Botanic Gardens (Singapore), Baekje Historic Areas (Republic of Korea), Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and its surrounding sacred landscape (Mongolia). Tusi sites (China) — ...
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Sites in Italy, Jordan and Saudi Arabia inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Friday, 3 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee inscribed three new cultural sites on the World Heritage List this afternoon: Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale in Italy; Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) in Jordan and Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia. Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale (Italy)—Located on the ...
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Irina Bokova condemns latest destruction of cultural property from the site of Palmyra in Syria
Friday, 3 July 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO firmly condemned the destruction of cultural property at Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, particularly damage to funerary busts and the famous Lion Statue of Athena, located at the entrance of the museum of Palmyra. "These new destructions of cultural goods of the site of Palmyra reflect the brutality and ignorance of extremist groups and their disregard ...
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World Heritage Committee approves extensions to two natural sites in South Africa and Viet Nam and inscribes Jamaica’s first site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Friday, 3 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee this morning approved the extension of two natural sites inscribed on the World Heritage List: Cape Floral Region Protected Areas in South Africa and Ke Bang National Park in Viet Nam. The Committee also inscribed Blue and John Crow Mountains in Jamaica, a mixed site, i.e. one that is both cultural and natural. With this inscription Jamaica enters the World ...
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Yemen’s Old City of Sana’a and Old Walled City of Shibam added to List of World Heritage in Danger
Thursday, 2 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee today inscribed two sites in Yemen on the List of World Heritage in Danger: the Old City of Sana’a and the Old Walled City of Shibam. The Old City of Sana’a sustained serious damage due to armed conflict in the country. The neighbourhood of al Qasimi near the famous urban garden of Miqshamat al Qasimi sustained particularly serious damage. The 12th century ...
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The Iraqi site of Hatra added to the List of World Heritage in Danger
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
The World Heritage site of Hatra in Iraq has been inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to damage inflicted to the property by armed groups. During debates today, many World Heritage Committee members voiced concern about the state of Iraqi heritage following acts of intentional destruction. They also declared their willingness to help Iraq as soon as the situation on the ...
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UNESCO and UNITAR-UNOSAT team up to protect cultural heritage with geo-spatial technologies
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
UNESCO and UNITAR (the UN Institute for Training and Research) have signed an agreement to protect cultural and natural heritage sites with the latest geo-spatial technologies.  It was signed at the annual meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Bonn, Germany, and will be delivered through UNITAR’s Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). The strategic partnership will ...
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Colombia’s Los Katíos National Park removed from List of Heritage in Danger
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Significant improvements in the management of Los Katíos National Park in Colombia have allowed for the site to be removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The World Heritage Committee decided to lift danger listing for the property in recognition of steps taken by the national authorities to reduce illegal extraction of timber and overfishing. The site was placed on the List of ...
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Reconstruction of Timbuktu mausoleums nears completion
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Three years after their destruction by extremists, the Timbuktu mausoleums are nearly restored through the extraordinary work carried out by local craftsmen and with international support. The announcement came at an event held in Bonn as part of the World Heritage Committee session taking place in the German city. “The reconstruction of the mausoleums in Timbuktu is a fine example of the ...
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Special Issue of World Heritage Review on Iraq
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Iraq, a country in turmoil within a very unstable region, is fighting a cultural battle in the real sense of the word. This special issue of World Heritage magazine presents the key heritage sites of Iraq, reflecting on their historical significance and importance for the Iraqi people and the world, as well as efforts by UNESCO and other stakeholders to protect these sites from destruction, ...
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Chairpersons of six UNESCO Culture Conventions meet
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
On 29 June, during the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee in Bonn, Germany, the Chairs of the six UNESCO culture conventions* met for the first time to discuss ways to work together more effectively. In the context of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO, this provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the future of the Organization’s standard-setting action in the face of contemporary ...
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Launch of global Unite for Heritage Coalition in Bonn
Monday, 29 June 2015
Bonn, 29 June—The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today launched the Global Coalition, Unite for Heritage, during the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Bonn, Germany. The campaign is designed to strengthen the mobilization of governments and all heritage stakeholders in the face of deliberate damage to cultural heritage, particularly in the Middle East. “The ...
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World Heritage Committee opens with an appeal to protect cultural heritages sites targeted for destruction
Sunday, 28 June 2015
Bonn (Germany) - An appeal for the international community to counter the new threat of violent extremism and cultural cleansing was issued at the opening of the World Heritage Committee, which opened its session in Bonn, Germany, today. The Committee will remain in session until 8 July under the chair of Maria Böhmer, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office and member of the ...
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Managing effectively the world’s most iconic marine protected areas: A Best Practice Guide
Thursday, 25 June 2015
The publication launched today, “Managing effectively the world’s most iconic Marine Protected Areas. A Best Practice Guide” lays the groundwork for a common approach to a more pro-active, future-oriented management of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world. The step-by-step guidance shows how defining a clearer vision of what MPAs can and should look like in another 10 to 20 years ...
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Great Apes Emphasize Biosphere Importance
Thursday, 25 June 2015
Chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans are essential to the visibility and viability of many biosphere reserves across Africa and Asia, according to an infographic release today by the Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme. Great apes are found in 21 Biosphere Reserve, ...
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In memoriam: Professor Chahryar Adle
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
The World Heritage Centre and the History and Memory for Dialogue Section of UNESCO have learned with deep sadness of the recent passing of Professor Chahryar Adle, a long-time collaborator of UNESCO. Chahryar Adle (1943-2015) was an archaeologist and Iranologist, and a member of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). He was also President of the International Scientific ...
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World Heritage in Germany: Game created for young people
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Kulturweit, a volunteer organization of the German Commission for UNESCO and the German Federal Foreign Office, has designed a card game called “World Heritage in Germany-Memory”. The inspiration came from Kulturweit members who were delegates to the 2014 World Heritage Youth Forum held in Qatar. The goal of the game is to teach young people about German World Heritage sites. The German ...
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[in French only] Formation internationale "Construire ensemble l'avenir des sites patrimoniaux,élaborer et mettre en œuvre une gestion durable", 5ème édition, 29 juin - 10 juillet 2015
Thursday, 18 June 2015
[in French only] Du 29 juin au 10 juillet 2015, 13 gestionnaires de sites patrimoniaux issus de 11 pays (Burkina Faso, Colombie, Comores, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Irak, RDP Lao, Mali, Moldavie, Sénégal, Togo) participeront à la 5ème édition de la formation internationale intensive "Construire ensemble l'avenir des sites patrimoniaux. Élaborer et mettre en œuvre une gestion durable" organisée ...
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Sourcebook on national level cooperation among the biodiversity-related conventions published
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
UNEP has published a Sourcebook of Opportunities for Enhancing Cooperation among the Biodiversity-related Conventions at National and Regional Levels, available for download at wcmc.io/Sourcebook. The aim of the UNEP Sourcebook is to provide national focal points of the biodiversity-related conventions and other stakeholders with options to achieve enhanced implementation of the conventions ...
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World Heritage Volunteers 2015 and #UNITE4HERITAGE
Monday, 15 June 2015
The World Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the Call for Participants for the World Heritage Volunteers 2015 and #Unite4Heritage common action. This common action aims to encourage young people from the Arab States[1] countries to take part in one of ten selected World Heritage Volunteers Action Camps 2015, at locations around the world. The aim of this action is to respond to the ...
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The Director General of UNESCO condemns the destruction of historic buildings in the Old City of Sana’a, Yemen
Friday, 12 June 2015
In the early hours of 12 June 2015, the Old City of Sana’a, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was hit by a bombing raid. Several houses and historic buildings were destroyed, causing human casualties. Among the buildings destroyed was the magnificent complex of traditional houses in the Al-Qasimi neighborhood, bordering an urban garden (Miqshama), near the Sailah water channel. “I am profoundly ...
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Second Cycle of Periodic Reporting in Europe
Thursday, 11 June 2015
The Second Cycle of the Periodic Reporting Exercise in the Europe and North America region was launched at the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee (Saint Petersburg, 2012). In Europe, 49 States Parties and 432 World Heritage properties (382 cultural, 41 natural, 9 mixed) participated in the Second Cycle of the Periodic Reporting Exercise (2012-2015). The exercise was coordinated by ...
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State of Conservation of the Historic Centre of Vienna (Austria)
Thursday, 11 June 2015
The World Heritage Centre is receiving correspondence from many NGOs and concerned citizens regarding a proposed high-rise project, and other matters, within the boundaries of the World Heritage property “Historic Centre of Vienna”. The World Heritage Centre is aware of this situation and is following the issue closely with the State Party, as well as the Advisory Bodies to the World ...
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UNESCO raises safety concerns on the reopening of Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site
Thursday, 11 June 2015
The devastating earthquakes of 25 April and the aftershocks that followed have heavily damaged the monuments and sites within the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage property, as well as an enormous amount of other cultural sites in the northwestern area of Nepal. Currently closed to tourists and the general public, the three monument zones - Hanumandhoka (Kathmandu) Durbar Square, Swayambhu and ...
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Relais & Châteaux and SeaWeb Europe celebrate Marine World Heritage on World Oceans Day by promoting sustainable seafood
Monday, 8 June 2015
As the world’s population grows, demand for fresh seafood is rising, and stocks are being stretched to the limit. Climate change impacts further stress the food chain. Marine World Heritage sites can provide a buffer against this pressure. They allow fish to grow and multiply safe from major disturbance, and boost the resilience of the oceans unique ecosystem. Today, many of the world's ...
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World Heritage Committee to meet in Bonn 28 June to 8 July
Friday, 5 June 2015
The World Heritage Committee will examine proposals to inscribe 37 properties on UNESCO’s World Heritage List when it meets at the international conference centre of Bonn (Germany) from 28 June to 8 July. The upcoming 39th session of the World Heritage Committee will be chaired by Maria Böhmer, Minister of State at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, and member of the Bundestag. Nominations ...
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UNESCO Expert Workshop: Conservation of Mural Paintings – Research, Access and Conservation
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
A three-day meeting in Berlin brought together experts from around the world to discuss the current practices for mural painting conservation and led to the adoption of new Guidelines. Within the framework of the UNESCO/Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust Project for the Preservation of the Koguryo Tombs and Mural Paintings in the DPRK, the UNESCO Expert Workshop: Conservation of Mural ...
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UNESCO Director-General condemns airstrikes on Yemen’s cultural heritage
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has condemned the airstrikes on the ancient city of Marib in Yemen and is calling on all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from targeting the country’s unique cultural heritage. UNESCO has received information on damage caused to the Great Dam of Marib by an airstrike during the night of 31 May. According to reports received, the ...
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“Saving the cultural heritage of Iraq” ‒ Director-General welcomes Adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution
Thursday, 28 May 2015
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova addressed today’s Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly, which adopted unanimously a resolution on “Saving the cultural heritage of Iraq”. The resolution, presented jointly by Germany and Iraq, was cosponsored by a total of 91 Member States, focuses on the fight against the destruction of cultural heritage and attacks against the cultural diversity ...
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1st Management Planning Workshop in Korça, Albania, to improve transboundary management at Lake Ohrid
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
The 1st Management Planning Workshop to protect the transboundary Lake Ohrid region took place on 25-26 March in Korça, Albania. The workshop is part of the project “Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid region”, a UNESCO initiative funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Environment of Albania to safeguard the ...
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Vice Premier of China Asserts Significance of UNESCO for Dialogue and Peace
Friday, 22 May 2015
The Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Ms Liu Yandong, pledged her country’s ambition to push her Government’s broad collaboration with UNESCO “to new heights” during a meeting with Director-General Irina Bokova in Qingdao on 23 May, on the eve of the International Conference on ICTs and post-2015 Education. On behalf of the Chinese Government, Ms Yandong congratulated UNESCO on ...
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Mauritania, Philippines and Australia apply for better protection for marine World Heritage sites at International Maritime Organisation
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Worldwide shipping traffic has increased 300% since 1992, and this growing industry does not leave World Heritage marine sites immune to its impact. The International Maritime Organization (IMO)—the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships—can provide special protections for particularly ...
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UNESCO Director-General calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in Palmyra
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Palmyra (Syria) following reports from several sources that armed extremist groups have infiltrated the World Heritage site, where fighting is now ongoing.  “I am deeply concerned by the situation at the site of Palmyra. The fighting is putting at risk one of the most significant sites in the ...
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State of conservation of Venice and its lagoon (Italy)
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is receiving messages expressing concern about the state of conservation of the World Heritage property "Venice and its lagoon” (Italy), inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre closely follows the state of conservation of the property with the Italian authorities. The World Heritage Committee, at its 38th session in ...
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“We must save Palmyra" says UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova
Thursday, 14 May 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today expressed her deep concern over reports of fighting near Palmyra, endangering the local population and posing an imminent threat to the site, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Irina Bokova called for the immediate cessation of fighting. According to several sources, armed extremist groups raided the city of Tadmur, home to the ...
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UNESCO launches emergency response plan to safeguard Yemen cultural heritage
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Amid reports of several cultural heritage sites being damaged across Yemen, UNESCO Office for the GCC and Yemen has developed a series of emergency response activities aimed at safeguarding Yemeni cultural sites and monuments of universal values from the ongoing conflict in the country. Over the past few days, UNESCO received reports from cultural institutions and experts in Yemen of severe ...
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UNESCO Director-General calls on all parties to protect Yemen’s cultural heritage
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Amid alarming reports about bombing of the World Heritage Site of the Old City of Sana’a, UNESCO’s Director-General calls on all parties to protect Yemen’s unique cultural heritage. Over the past few days, UNESCO received reports of severe damage to significant cultural heritage sites in Yemen. According to several media reports and official sources, the old city of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, ...
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Director-General Signs Condolences Book for Nepal
Thursday, 7 May 2015
On 6 May, the Director-General expressed her sincere condolences to the Government and people of Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the country on 25 April by signing a message in the condolences book opened at the Embassy, in the presence of the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Ms Ambika Devi Luintel. “I wish to say how deeply aggrieved I am by the ...
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State of conservation of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Mexico)
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is receiving petitions expressing concern about the state of conservation of the World Heritage property Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Mexico), inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008. The World Heritage Committee, at its next session (Bonn, Germany, 28 June - 8 July 2015), will examine the state of conservation of the property. The draft decision ...
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#Unite4Heritage: United Nations University joins UNESCO campaign to protect heritage in danger
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
The United Nations University (UNU) and UNESCO today brought together scholars, archeologists, historians and writers to discuss ways of opposing the widespread destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq, Syria and other countries in conflict. The symposium, entitled "Mobilization for heritage: Iraq, Syria and other countries in conflict," took place at the Organization’s Paris ...
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Director-General meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
On 4 May, during her official visit to Estonia, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Ms Keit Pentus-Rosimannus. The Minister congratulated the Organisation on the occasion of its 70th anniversary and noted strong satisfaction with the reform led by the Director-General, to increase efficiency. The Minister highlighted the Estonian ...
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Attacks against Cultural Heritage – What can UNESCO do?
Monday, 4 May 2015
On 4 May, on the occasion of her official visit to Estonia, the Director General, Ms Irina Bokova, gave a lecture at the Estonian Academy of Arts on “Attacks against Cultural Heritage – What can UNESCO do?”, in the presence of the Rector of the Academy Professor Signe Kivi, and the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Estonia to UNESCO, H.E. Mr Marten Kokk. The lecture ...
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Director-General meets Estonian Minister of Culture
Monday, 4 May 2015
On 4 May, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, met with the Minister of Culture, Mr Indrek Saar. The Minister congratulated UNESCO on the 70th anniversary of its creation, underlining the enduring importance of the Organisation today. He also thanked the Director-General for her leadership, also in reforming the Organisation, and in the strong cooperation with Estonia. The ...
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Director-General on Official Visit to Estonia
Monday, 4 May 2015
From 4 to 5 May, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, is travelling to Estonia for an official visit, where she is expected to meet with a number of high level government officials including, the Minister of Foreign Affairs , Ms Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, the Deputy Secretary-General for Planning, Ministry for Education and Research, Ms Kadri Maasik, the Minister for Culture, Mr Indrek Saar, ...
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The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) trek in the Dja Faunal Reserve
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Following an AWF-led great apes conservation workshop in Yaoundé scheduled from April 22nd to 23rd, the AWF will lead a trek initiative from April 25th to May 1st through the center of the Dja Faunal Reserve. One team of rangers from Cameroon and other great apes sites in Central/West Africa will use this opportunity as a field training exercise. At the same time a second team will trek ...
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In memoriam: Dr Ronald Van Oers
Tuesday, 28 April 2015
The World Heritage Centre announces with profound sadness the passing on 28 April 2015 of Dr Ronald Van Oers, Vice Director of the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for Asia and the Pacific Region, a UNESCO Category 2 Centre based in Shanghai, and a colleague of the World Heritage Centre since 2000. Ron was a brilliant professional in the field of heritage. He had a wealth of ...
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UNESCO to assess the impact on Nepal’s cultural heritage of the devastating earthquake
Monday, 27 April 2015
“As we are receiving more information from the ground, I am deeply aggrieved by the magnitude of human loss caused by the earthquake in Nepal. I am also shocked by its devastating impact on the unique cultural heritage in the country, in particular extensive and irreversible damage at the World Heritage site of Kathmandu Valley”, declared Irina Bokova, the Director-General of ...
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"Culture stands on the front-line of conflict - it should be at the front-line of peace building,” Director-General states to UN Security Council
Monday, 27 April 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, and the Secretary General of INTERPOL, Jürgen Stock, addressed members of the UN Security Council on “Combating the Destruction, Smuggling and Theft of Cultural Heritage” in countries where destruction of heritage, looting and illicit trafficking are used to fuel hatred and finance terrorism. The meeting, convened by the Permanent Missions of ...
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UNESCO Director General expresses distress after earthquake in Nepal
Saturday, 25 April 2015
The Director-General, Irina Bokova, has expressed her profound sympathy to the government and people of Nepal after the devastating earthquake that struck the country. “I wish to express my sincere condolences following the powerful earthquake that struck Nepal today, causing heavy loss of life and extensive damage, including to historic monuments and buildings of the Kathmandu Valley ...
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Great Apes Infographic Highlights World Heritage Importance
Friday, 24 April 2015
The endangered chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos found at World Heritage sites in Africa and Asia underscore the importance of these forests and mountain ranges and are highlighted in an infographic released today by the Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) and the World Heritage Centre of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Great ...
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Virunga: a challenge for conservation and sustainable development
Thursday, 23 April 2015
A screening of the movie “Virunga” was organized at UNESCO Headquarters, attended by a thousand people, in the framework of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO and the United Nations International Earth Day. The screening of the movie took place in the presence of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mrs Irina Bokova, H.E. Mr Bienvenu Lihota Ndjoli, Minister of Environment and ...
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Jaeger-LeCoultre brings spotlight on marine World Heritage on Earth Day
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
UNESCO could not conserve the Crown Jewels of the Ocean without support from public and private partner organizations around the world. In a world that is for 70% oceans, it seems fitting to honor the ocean’s most precious places on Earth Day. This year, we are celebrating Earth Day at a special event hosted in New York City by long-time partner Jaeger-LeCoultre. “Through this partnership, ...
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[in French only] L’approche basée sur le paysage urbain historique contribue à la conservation durable de Cidade Velha
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
[in French only] Les gestionnaires de Cidade Velha et de plusieurs villes de Cabo Verde, les communautés locales, les experts nationaux et internationaux en charge du patrimoine urbain se sont réunis à Cidade Velha du 15 au 17 avril 2015 pour discuter de l’approche centrée sur le Paysage urbain historique et de la manière dont elle peut contribuer à la gestion et la conservation durable de ...
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Vacancy: Local Facilitator to the Advisory Bodies
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid Region: Local Facilitator, Albania IUCN Programme Office for South-Eastern Europe (SEE) is seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic candidate to join the IUCN SEE team working on the project “Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural ...
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Inventory and cultural mapping of Sultanate’s architectural and urban heritage
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
In 2008 the NGO “Collectif du patrimoine des Comores” launched an inventory and cultural mapping project of the architectural and urban heritage of the Sultanates of the Comoros, with technical and financial support from the World Heritage Centre within the framework of the France-UNESCO Cooperation Agreement. The Comoros put the Historic Sultanates on their Tentative List in 2007. In order ...
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UNESCO Director-General condemns destruction at Nimrud
Monday, 13 April 2015
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today denounced further destruction at the archeological site of Nimrud in Iraq, shown in graphic detail on a video circulating on social media channels. “I condemn this mad, destructive act that accentuates the horror of the situation. It confirms that the terrorists are not only destroying representations of figures and bas-reliefs. With their hammers ...
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Mayor of Istanbul and the Director-General celebrate the 30th anniversary of the inscription of the Historic Areas of Istanbul on the World Heritage List
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
H.E. Mr Kadir Topbas, Lord Mayor of Istanbul, visited UNESCO on the occasion of the Organization’s 70thanniversary, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the inscription of the Historic Areas of Istanbul on the World Heritage List. On the occasion of his visit to UNESCO, the Lord Mayor of Istanbul participated in a round-table on heritage conservation in the face of the challenges of urban ...
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New management plan at Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park puts focus on Outstanding Universal Value
Tuesday, 7 April 2015
The Philippines’ Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a spectacular reef system in the famed Coral Triangle. The park encompasses 970 km² of coral atolls and deep seas 92 nautical miles from the nearest inhabited island. Managing this vast and remote area requires a focused management plan, and the Marine World Heritage Programme recently connected Site Manager Angelique Songco with Jon Day, ...
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The Director-General of UNESCO calls for all Syrians to commit to the safeguarding of cultural Heritage in Bosra and Idlib
Thursday, 2 April 2015
In the context of the recent escalation of hostilities in Bosra and Idlib, the UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, reiterates her call for the protection of Syria’s unique heritage. “All Syrians must unite for the protection of their shared cultural heritage.” said the Director-General. “This heritage belongs to all Syrians and to all humanity. I call on all parties to refrain from ...
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Peer learning between Galapagos Islands and Great Barrier Reef
Monday, 30 March 2015
The differences in culture might be as big as the ocean between them, but Australia and Ecuador are home to two of the world’s best-known natural wonders. Site managers at the Galapagos Islands and Great Barrier Reef are entrusted with the care of vast areas that are vital for wildlife and treasured by people. UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme facilitated an exchange bringing staff ...
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#Unite4Heritage campaign launched by UNESCO Director-General in Baghdad
Saturday, 28 March 2015
UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, launched #Unite4Heritage at Baghdad University – a social media campaign to counter the propaganda of cultural cleansing and the destruction of cultural heritage, to support Iraqi youth and to mobilise young people across the world for its protection. The launch took place in front of students, government ministers and university officials. “Today, we ...
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Ngorongoro Conservation Area sets path for sustainable tourism
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Ngorongoro Conservation Area joins Lake Malawi National Park, Maloti-Drakensberg Park (South Africa and Lesotho) and Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe) in strategic planning for sustainable tourism. The first capacity building workshop in sustainable tourism for the World Heritage site managers, community representatives and tourism industry stakeholders was held at the ...
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“We stand together” to protect Iraq's cultural heritage, says French President with UNESCO Director-General
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and French President Francois Hollande today sent a strong message of solidarity to the people of Iraq and Syria, and reiterated the urgent need to safeguard cultural heritage of both countries. President Hollande and the Director-General Bokova met at the Louvre Museum in Paris, which houses several major works reflecting the splendid cultural ...
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UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova expresses solidarity with Tunisia following deadly attack at Bardo Museum
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today condemned the deadly attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis, and expressed her support and solidarity with Tunisia and the families of the victims. Ms Bokova spoke of the assault during a meeting with French President Francois Hollande at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The two leaders were addressing media on the destruction of cultural heritage by ...
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Save Virunga’s elephants
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
“The Elephant Collaring Project Team” from Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is an initiative which aims at strengthening the safeguarding of elephants using radio tracking with specially designed elephant collars. The Park’s goal is to reach 120,000 USD in donations, within 10 weeks. Donate now to Virunga National Park to reinforce vital resources needed to ...
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First Management Planning Workshop to begin for transboundary Lake Ohrid region
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
The first management planning workshop in a series of five will take place on 25 and 26 March 2015 in the Korça region, Albania. The workshop is carried out in the framework of the 36-month European Union-funded project “Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid region”. The project is designed to address the main threats ...
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Launch of Website – Germany looking forward to hosting World Heritage Committee
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Upcoming 39th session due to take place in Bonn, Germany. The annual highlight for the World Heritage community is drawing near: From 28 June to 8 July approx. 1200 delegates, observers and NGO-representatives from 191 countries will gather in Bonn, Germany, to attend the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee. During its session last year in Doha, Qatar, the Committee elected Minister ...
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Resiliency and Cultural Heritage discussed at the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
UNESCO, in partnership with the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs (ACA), the Japanese National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (NICH), ICCROM and ICOMOS has organized a special session on "Resilient Cultural Heritage" within the framework of the Third United Nations World Conference Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR), which has taken place between 14 and 18 March at Sendai, Japan. The ...
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UNESCO mobilizes the international community to end cultural cleansing in Iraq
Wednesday, 11 March 2015
Since the beginning of the conflict in Iraq, in addition to the tragic loss of human life and the humanitarian crisis associated to the persecution of cultural and religious minorities, cultural heritage has been the target of intentional destruction. The goal has clearly been to erase the history of the country along with the identities and diversity of its people. UNESCO Director-General ...
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Minister of State Böhmer condemns destruction of Iraqi cultural sites in Nimrud by the ISIS terrorist group and calls for peace in Iraq
Monday, 9 March 2015
Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office and Chair of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Maria Böhmer issued the following statement in Berlin on 9 March following the destruction of Iraqi artefacts in Nimrud by the terrorist group ISIS: “The ongoing barbaric attacks perpetrated by the ISIS terrorist group in Iraq are devastating. In particular the abductions in Tikrit, the burning ...
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"Destruction of Hatra marks a turning point in the cultural cleansing underway in iraq" say heads of UNESCO and ISESCO
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Since the beginning of the conflict in Iraq, in addition to the tragic loss of human life and the humanitarian crisis associated to the persecution of cultural and religious minorities, cultural heritage has been the target of intentional destruction, with the aim of erasing the history of the country and thus undermining the peaceful coexistence of diverse communities. Attacks against the ...
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UNESCO Director General condemns destruction of Nimrud in Iraq
Friday, 6 March 2015
“I condemn in the strongest possible manner the destruction of the archaeological site of Nimrud site in Iraq. This is yet another attack against the Iraqi people, reminding us that nothing is safe from the cultural cleansing underway in the country: it targets human lives, minorities, and is marked by the systematic destruction of humanity’s ancient heritage,” said UNESCO Director General ...
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Director-General welcomes UN Security Council statement on destruction of artifacts at Mosul Museum
Saturday, 28 February 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has welcomed the UN Security Council's statement denouncing the attack on the Mosul Museum. "This statement is a strong testiment to the unity of the international community regarding the tragic destruction of irreplaceable heritage for all mankind," said the Director-General. "The members of the Security Council have reaffirmed the deep ...
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UNESCO Director-General welcomes the reopening of the Baghdad Museum
Saturday, 28 February 2015
"The reopening of the Baghdad Museum is a powerful symbol, coming in the wake of the destruction perpetrated in Mosul. To fight violent extremism and attacks against cultural heritage, we need more than ever to nurture the power of culture, supporting its fundamental role for dialogue and for social cohesion in Iraq and around the world." "I welcome this historic reopening, coming just a few ...
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March 3rd is World Wildlife Day
Friday, 27 February 2015
"It is time to get serious about wildlife crime" This year’s theme for World Wildlife Day is right in line with one of the key goals of the World Heritage Convention: protecting sites which are home to threatened plant and animal species. These invaluable sites are threatened more than ever, and illegal human activities such as poaching and illegal logging are some of the most worrisome. ...
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UNESCO calls for mobilization to stop "cultural cleansing" in Iraq
Friday, 27 February 2015
“I was filled with dismay by images of the attack on the Mosul Museum, as well as on other archaeological sites in the Nineveh region in Iraq,” said the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova. She spoke at a press conference following the release of a video showing the devastation of the Mosul Museum in Iraq. Terrorists based in Iraq defaced many statues and bas-reliefs with an ...
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Director-General requests UN Security Council meeting on destruction of heritage in Mosul
Thursday, 26 February 2015
“I am deeply shocked by footage released today showing the destruction of statues and other artefacts of the Mosul Museum. I condemn this as a deliberate attack against Iraq’s millennial history and culture, and as an inflammatory incitement to violence and hatred,” said the Director General. “This attack is far more than a cultural tragedy – this is also a security issue as it fuels ...
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International Conference on Archaeological Parks and Sites held in Oman 23-25 February 2015
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
A major international conference was organized by ICOMOS Oman at Dhofar University in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman to review archaeological heritage identification, management, and conservation, and to explore new approaches. Among the participants were experts from different parts of the world, representatives from Ministries and heritage agencies, Ambassadors of UNESCO Member States, the ...
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Call for expression of interest for the evaluation of the African World Heritage Fund
Wednesday, 18 February 2015
Established as a Category II Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in October 2009, the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an inter-governmental organisation which was jointly initiated by the African Members States of UNESCO and the African Union. Its mission is to support the effective conservation and protection of natural and cultural heritage of outstanding universal value in Africa. ...
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World Heritage Young Experts Forum 2015 in Germany “Towards a Sustainable Management of World Heritage Sites”
Wednesday, 18 February 2015
Prior to the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee, a Young Experts Forum will be held from 18 to 29 June 2015 in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage site and in Bonn, former capital of Germany. Young heritage experts from around the world from 20 to 30 years old will exchange ideas and provide input to the theme of this year’s Forum Towards a Sustainable Management of World ...
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UNESCO Director-General welcomes UN Security Council Resolution to step up protection of cultural heritage in Syria and Iraq
Thursday, 12 February 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova, welcomed the adoption of a new UN Security Council Resolution 2199 that condemns the destruction of cultural heritage and adopts legally-binding measures to counter illicit trafficking of antiquities and cultural objects from Iraq and Syria. “The adoption of resolution 2199 is a milestone for enhanced protection of cultural heritage in Iraq ...
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UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture gathers Ministers of Tourism and Culture for the first time
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Over 900 participants, including over 45 Ministers and Vice Ministers of Tourism and Culture, international experts, speakers and guests from 100 countries, gathered at the UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to explore and advance new partnership models between tourism and culture (4-6 February 2015). Tourism, moving more than one billion people ...
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Banc d’Arguin National Park inspires young people to preserve World Heritage
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
With support from UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme, the Banc d’Arguin National Park in Mauritania organized a series of educational activities for students from four local schools who are located in the park. Throughout 2014, about 100 students participated in three-day excursions in which they learned about the biodiversity, the socioeconomic importance of the Park and the need to ...
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Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Director General, job vacancy
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
The secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is currently recruiting a Director General (DG).  SPREP is the regional organisation established by the Governments and Administrations of the Pacific charged with protecting and managing the environment and natural resources of the Pacific. It is based in Apia, Samoa, with about 95 staff and an annual budget of USD $20 ...
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Ecuador intensifies actions to reduce risks from ship stranding in Galápagos Islands
Friday, 6 February 2015
On Wednesday, 28 January, the cargo ship Floreana stranded near San Cristobal, an island that is part of the Galápagos islands World Heritage site. The vessel transported 1,400 tons of cargo and 50,000 liters of fuel among other, potentially hazardous, products. Accordingly to early government reports, products leaked from the ship. Actions are being taken to define the impacts on the marine ...
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2014-2015 World Heritage Map Published
Friday, 6 February 2015
The latest version of the World Heritage map, produced by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and National Geographic Maps with the generous support of Germany, can now be ordered for a modest fee from the World Heritage Centre website. The featured image on the Map presents the Upper Middle Rhine Valley in Germany, country hosting the next session of the World Heritage Committee in June ...
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UNESCO and Panasonic inspire pupils in Fujian, China, to become ambassadors of World Heritage protection
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Since their first agreement signed in 2011, UNESCO and Panasonic have worked together to educate young people about  protecting natural and cultural heritage. Long-term success of the program depends on the children of today, hence their involvement is of key importance. As part of the cooperation with UNESCO, Panasonic China hosted 50 pupils and teachers in a school excursion from 3 to 6 ...
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World Heritage stakeholders come together to develop a sustainable tourism strategy for Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls
Monday, 2 February 2015
World heritage site managers and tourism stakeholders from Zambia and Zimbabwe came together for the first time to initiate the process to develop a sustainable tourism strategy for the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage site. The workshop was held in Livingstone, Zambia from 22 to 24 January 2015. The workshop takes place within the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage and ...
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World Heritage N° 74: Disasters and resilience
Monday, 2 February 2015
Issue 74 of World Heritage magazine World Heritage sites are exposed to a wide variety of natural and human-induced hazards, such as earthquakes, cyclones or fires, which can have devastating effects on their value as well as on the lives and assets of the communities concerned. This issue explores the risks that sites are exposed to and different aspects of disaster risk management, ...
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Bamako conference urges emergency action to safeguard manuscripts
Friday, 30 January 2015
Storage conditions of ancient manuscripts smuggled out of Timbuktu to Bamako in 2012 must be improved rapidly to avoid decay, concluded participants at an international conference, held from 28 to 30 January in the national capital. They also called for the adoption of an emergency plan to preserve the manuscripts in the long-term. The conference was attended by academics; representatives of ...
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Experts and practitioners draft policy on World Heritage and sustainable development
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
From 22 to 24 January 2015, UNESCO, in cooperation with the Vietnamese authorities, hosted a workshop on World Heritage and sustainable development at the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Viet Nam. The workshop responded to the request by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in Saint Petersburg to develop a policy on the integration of sustainable development into the ...
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Belize agrees to Chart Road Map solving Critical Conservation Issues to remove Belize Barrier Reef from Danger List
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Following a week-long constructive discussion with UNESCO's World Heritage Centre and IUCN, the government of Belize agreed to start talks on critical conservation challenges related to the removal of the Belize Barrier Reef from the World Heritage List in Danger.  From 19-23 January 2015, UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, in cooperation with the International Union for the Conservation of ...
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Celebrating World Wetlands Day: 2 February 2015
Thursday, 22 January 2015
2 February each year is World Wetlands Day. It marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since 1997, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at ...
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Safeguarding Mali’s ancient manuscript collections, an international conference in Bamako
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Nearly two years after armed groups occupied northern Mali and destroyed cultural heritage there, an international conference will take place in the capital, Bamako, from 28 to 30 January to examine the long-term conservation of the country’s invaluable ancient manuscript collections. UNESCO’s Office in Bamako, Mali’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ahmed Baba ...
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Earthwatch launches its 2015 Business Skills Transfer Programme
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Once again this year Earthwatch is offering funded training and mentoring in organisational and business management practices to protected areas in Africa. The application period is now open until 27th February 2015. The Programme is looking to recruit 6 protected areas, who will each nominate 3 members of staff for training during a 10 day residential training course in October 2015. This ...
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Announcement for Internship Opportunities (South Africa and Benin)
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Internship Opportunities in South Africa and Benin, from 1 April until 30 September 2015. Two internships will run in 2015, one at the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) in Midrand (South Africa) and one at EPA in Porto-Novo (Benin). AWHF was launched in 2006 to support African State Parties in implementing the UNESCO Convention on the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. ...
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Another Fire at the Royal Palaces of Abomey World Heritage site in Benin
Sunday, 18 January 2015
On 14 January 2015, a fire has once again ravaged the Palace of the King Houégbadja in the Royal Palaces of Abomey World Heritage property in Benin. Thankfully there were no victims. Despite the efforts of firefighters, all of the thatched roofs of the palace complex were burned. As they were built from fire-resistant earthen architecture, the walls of the palace buildings were spared. The ...
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French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) provides expertise to UNESCO in the framework of the France-UNESCO Cooperation Agreement
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
In the framework of the France-UNESCO Cooperation Agreement (an agreement for the protection and enhancement of monumental, urban and natural heritage, between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Government of France) UNESCO has technical and financial assistance at their disposal through the following Ministries of France: Ministry of Culture and ...
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The Polynesian Voyaging Society embarks on a worldwide voyage through marine World Heritage sites
Thursday, 8 January 2015
Nainoa Thompson and the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage (sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines) are embarking on a 3-year trip that will take them to 13 marine World Heritage sites. The voyage is taking place with Hōkūle'a and Hikianalia, sister canoes who are both sailing on parallel sail plans in 2015-2017. UNESCO and the Polynesian Voyaging Society signed a partnership agreement that will ...
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Online Travel Itinerary launched about World Heritage sites in the United States
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
The National Park Service's newest online travel itinerary highlights the 22 World Heritage sites located in the United States. The project includes fun facts and interesting background information about sites across the country, from the Statue of Liberty to Hawaii Volcanoes, which have universal significance. The World Heritage sites in the United States itinerary is the 60th in the ...
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Director-General Presents World Heritage Certificates to Turkey
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
On 6 January, during her official visit to Turkey, the Director-General participated in a ceremony to present the World Heritage Certificates for the newly inscribed sites of “Pergamon Multi-layered Cultural Landscape” and “Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of an Empire” on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in the presence of H.E. Ömer Çelik, Minister of Culture and Tourism. The ceremony took ...
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Panasonic World Heritage 2015 Calendar in paper, online and tablet PC app formats now available
Monday, 22 December 2014
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Panasonic Corporation have released the 2015 World Heritage calendar. Featuring stunning photographs of World Heritage sites from around the world, this popular calendar can be used in paper, online and tablet app versions. UNESCO and Panasonic have been creating wall calendars since 1995 and a web version since 2010. The wall calendar includes brief ...
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UNWTO and UNESCO to organize first World Conference on Tourism and Culture
Friday, 19 December 2014
The First World Conference on Tourism and Culture will bring together, for the first time, Ministers of Tourism and Ministers of Culture from around the world, experts and stakeholders from both sectors to explore new models of partnership between tourism and culture (Siem Reap, Cambodia, 4-6 February 2015). Cultural tourism can contribute to inclusive economic growth, social ...
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The Government of Indonesia, UNESCO, and Panasonic Jointly Launched the LED Lighting Installment in Prambanan Temple Compounds
Friday, 19 December 2014
The Panasonic Corporation in cooperation with UNESCO Office Jakarta organised a launching ceremony of LED Lighting Installment in Prambanan Temple Compounds on 17 December 2014. The ceremony was attended by more than 100 participants representing different stakeholders including the National and Local Government, UNESCO Jakarta and Headquarters, local communities, craftsmen, NGOs, as well as ...
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Serious concern for oil spill in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh
Thursday, 18 December 2014
An oil spill occurred in The Sundarbans, Bangladesh on Tuesday, 9 December when a small coastal oil tanker sank after being rammed by another vessel from behind, releasing approximately 400,000 liters of oil in the water. The Sundarbans was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997 and is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. It lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and ...
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Panasonic hosts event for environmental education at Budapest World Heritage site
Monday, 15 December 2014
As part of the "World Heritage Eco Learning Program", Panasonic hosted, on 15 December 2015, the "Environmental activity for the next generation” at Budapest World Heritage site.  Panasonic hosted 150 pupils in an extraordinary school excursion on Monday, 15 December 2014. Children between the ages of 8 and 12, and 20 teachers accompanying them, had the opportunity to view the UNESCO ...
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Venice and its Lagoon rest in fragile balance. Findings of new study on the World Heritage site
Friday, 12 December 2014
A presentation of the “Fragile Venice” study, which touches on some of the most serious future challenges faced by the city of Venice and its Lagoon, will take place today, 12 December (2.30 pm.), in Venice, at the sala del Piovego in the Doge’s Palace. As the city’s urban fabric undergoes deep structural changes, this is the first enquiry of its kind into the wider effects of tourism and ...
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UNESCO concludes training course on “First Aid to Cultural Built Heritage in Syria”
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Twenty-two conservation architects, engineers, archaeologists, and experts from different regions across Syria, including Damascus, Maaloula, Daraa, Homs and Aleppo, concluded today a three-week training course that aims to enhance their technical skills and introduce them to the recent conservation trends in order for them to secure their endangered built cultural heritage and take the ...
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UNESCO Conference calls for protected cultural zones to be established Syria and Iraq
Wednesday, 3 December 2014
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today called for the creation of “protected cultural zones” around heritage sites in Syria and Iraq. Opening an international conference on threats to cultural heritage and diversity in these countries at UNESCO Headquarters, she suggested a start could be made with the city of Aleppo, and especially the Omeyyad Mosque, a highly iconic site located in the ...
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UNESCO recognized for promoting Mediterranean cultural heritage
Friday, 28 November 2014
On the occasion of the Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders and in the framework of the XXIII General Assembly of the Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) held on 26 November 2014, UNESCO received an award for promoting Mediterranean cultural heritage in the world and for its efforts to promote the tangible and intangible cultural heritage as a ...
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e-patrimoines: a new e-learning training program launched by the French Ministry of culture and communication
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
In 2011, the French Ministry of Culture and Communication (Directorate General of Cultural Heritage – Department of European and International Affairs) launched « e-patrimoines »: a new e-learning training program on tangible and intangible heritage, for nearly a hundred francophone countries. This project was undertaken in partnership with the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) ...
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World Heritage Paper on “Engaging Local Communities in Stewardship of World Heritage” published
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Recent policy and conceptual developments in World Heritage, and in conservation generally, set the stage for new approaches that engage indigenous and local communities in World Heritage. The inclusion of communities as one of the five Strategic Objectives in the World Heritage Convention reflects an increasing demand for community engagement at all stages of the World Heritage process, and ...
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In memoriam: Prof. Karel Anthonie Bakker (PhD)
Thursday, 20 November 2014
The World Heritage Centre expresses its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Professor Karel Bakker from the Department of Architecture, University of Pretoria (South Africa), and a long-time collaborator on World Heritage, who passed away on 19 November 2014. Prof. Bakker contributed to numerous World Heritage missions, Heritage Impact Assessments, training workshops, ...
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Results of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention
Thursday, 20 November 2014
The General Assembly of the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention met for its 1st extraordinary session on 13-14 November 2014 at UNESCO Headquarters under the Chairpersonship of Ms Vera Lacoeuilhe, Permanent Delegate of Saint-Lucia to UNESCO, with the mandate of examining the proposals made by the Open-ended Working Group to revise the Rules of Procedure in order to achieve the ...
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The Ramsar Convention Secretariat is looking for a Deputy Secretary General
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
The Convention on Wetlands, also known as the “Ramsar Convention” from the name of the city in Iran where it was signed in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetland biodiversity and services. It was the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements ...
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UNESCO Director-General calls on all parties to protect Libya's unique Cultural Heritage
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Amidst alarming reports of increase in acts of vandalism, illicit trafficking and attacks on Libyan cultural heritage, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova called on all parties to protect Libya’s unique cultural heritage. Her call came in the context of the deterioration of the security situation in Libya and in support of efforts towards an inclusive political dialogue to put an end to the ...
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Compliance Management Workshop great success
Monday, 17 November 2014
Compliance management in the Great Barrier Reef has matured over more than 30 years and is currently one of the most advanced worldwide. Still today, over 30% of all marine World Heritage sites are suffering serious pressure from fishing activities, most of which is illegal and unreported. Monitoring and evaluation of these sites is often costly and the need for a clever intelligence system ...
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New publication: Conserving Cultural Landscapes
Monday, 17 November 2014
Conserving Cultural Landscapes: Challenges and New Directions is now available from Routledge publishers. The book is edited by Ken Taylor, Australian National University, Australia; Archer St. Clair, Rutgers University, USA; and Nora J. Mitchell, University of Vermont, USAIt is published as part of the series Routledge Studies in Heritage. Challenging traditional notions of historic ...
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World Heritage Volunteers 2015 – Call for Projects
Monday, 17 November 2014
Patrimonito takes a stand in a changing global environment The World Heritage Centre (WHC) is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Campaign 2015. In the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the WHC leads the Initiative in collaboration with the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS), Open Houses ...
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UNESCO Announces the Bamiyan Cultural Centre Design Competition
Sunday, 16 November 2014
November 15, 2014, marks the official announcement of the design competition to build the new Bamiyan Cultural Centre in Afghanistan. UNESCO, together with the Government of Afghanistan, decided to select the design of the Cultural Centre through an open international competition. The competition will generate interest in the project and ensure that the winning design is both iconic and also ...
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Director-General meets with experts responsible for health of Great Barrier Reef
Sunday, 16 November 2014
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova visited Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on the weekend of 15-16 November for a firsthand look at the way the World Heritage site is being managed. Her visit came amidst widespread concerns over the health of the reef, which experts say is threatened by climate change, pollution and other environmental issues that make careful, long-term planning absolutely ...
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First Youth Forum of Paraguayan Heritage - "World Heritage - Intergenerational Meeting"
Friday, 14 November 2014
From the 13 to the 15 October 2014, the Paraguay National Commission for cooperation with UNESCO through its Executive Committee for Heritage, the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet), Paraguay National Secretary of Tourism (SENATUR) and the Paraguay Chamber of Tourism for the Jesuit Missions, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Culture, will hold the 1st Youth ...
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UN Goodwill Ambassador Gisele Bündchen Lends Her Support to Marine World Heritage
Friday, 14 November 2014
Supermodel and UN Goodwill ambassador for the Environment Gisele Bündchen narrates the latest film from the World Heritage Marine Programme, which premiered at the World Parks Congress in Sydney, Australia, to a standing-room-only crowd. Ms Bündchen is a strong supporter of ocean conservation and believes in its critical role in human and ecosystem health. She has given her time and talent ...
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Rapid Response Facility releases the 2014 legacy report
Friday, 14 November 2014
The Rapid Response Facility (RRF) releases the 2014 legacy report summarizing its lasting impacts of eight years of cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and its partners, notably the Franz Weber Foundation and Fauna & Flora International. The programme provides emergency support to natural World Heritage sites in developing countries. Since 2006, The RRF has given 35 grants ...
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Protected areas key to safeguarding the global environment Director-General tells Parks Congress
Friday, 14 November 2014
Sydney, 13 November - UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today called for a global commitment to “restore, revitalize and safeguard one of the planet’s most precious resources: protected areas”, at the opening session of the World Parks Congress, in Sydney, Australia. The Congress is organized by the International Union for the Conservation for Nature (IUCN), one of the advisory bodies to ...
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Emergency plan to safeguard Iraq’s cultural heritage
Thursday, 6 November 2014
With the severe deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation in Iraq, UNESCO has established an Emergency Response Action Plan (ERAP) to address the challenges to safeguarding Iraq’s cultural heritage. The plan was set up at an emergency expert meeting held at UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters on 17 July 2014, which brought together experts from both Iraq and the international community ...
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IUCN World Parks Congress 2014: Parks, people, planet: inspiring solutions
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
UNESCO is gearing up for its participation in the 2014 IUCN World Parks Congress (WPC), which will take place in Sydney, Australia, from 12 to 19 November At this edition of the world’s most influential international forum devoted to the planet’s protected areas, over 5,000 participants will formulate the global conservation agenda in the outcome document: "The Promise of Sydney". It is also ...
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UNESCO participates in 20th International Cultural Heritage Show
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Thanks to the generous support of the French National Commission and Ateliers d'Art de France, UNESCO will participate in the International Cultural Heritage Show at the Carrousel du Louvre, in Paris, France from 6 to 9 November. The Organization will have stand 30 during the four days and will present its activities in the culture sector, particularly concerning cultural heritage. UNESCO ...
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First Entrepreneurship Field Training held for African site managers and community representatives
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Following the first African World Heritage entrepreneurship training workshops, which took place in Ghana and Senegal in May 2014, an Anglophone Entrepreneurship Field Training Workshop for World Heritage site managers and community representatives from Africa was organized from 22 September to 10 October in Livingstone, Zambia. This Field Training Workshop was devoted to developing a ...
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Young leaders film World Heritage sites at Media Communication Training Workshop in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
The Asian World Heritage Media/Communication Training Workshop for young people: "Passing the Culture Message" was held in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, from 9 to 13 October 2014. Fourteen participants from the Asia-Pacific region participated in the programme, which included the opportunity to visit and film three World Heritage sites: Gyeongju Historic Areas, Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa ...
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Emergency appeal to combat militant elephant poaching in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Monday, 20 October 2014
The Rapid Response Facility (RRF) has launched an emergency appeal for funds to tackle an upswing in poaching activity in Garamba National Park in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a World Heritage site inscribed on the World Heritage List in Danger. Please donate now to help us give Garamba's dedicated rangers the vital resources they need to protect the Park's ...
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Strengthening Collaboration for the Dja Faunal Reserve
Monday, 13 October 2014
Stakeholders of the World Heritage property "Dja Faunal Reserve", (DFR) met in Yaoundé (Cameroon) from 24 to 25 September 2014 to evaluate the current situation of threats to the property and to discuss mitigation measures to be taken in response to requests of the World Heritage Committee. They also discussed and agreed upon the framework to be set up to strengthen the coherence and synergy ...
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A 7000 Eur Grant for a Project Awarded to a young person from the Mediterranean
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
You wish to undertake a project related to Mediterranean cultures or art and crafts? Are you a national from a Mediterranean country? Born after 31 December 1987, you will be under 28 years of age in 2015. The Marc de Montalembert Foundation offers a 7000 euros grant for qualifying projects. To present a project an application form must be requested before November 15th 2014. Deadline for ...
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“Safeguarding Precious Resources for Island Communities” World Heritage Paper series on SIDS published”.
Monday, 25 August 2014
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are islands of the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are some of the most beautiful places on Earth, with atolls of white sand beaches, mountain ranges, historic ports and towns, and agricultural landscapes. SIDS share similar interests, concerns and challenges, such as marine and coastal management, impacts of climate changes, ...
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The World Heritage Convention has entered into force for the Bahamas
Friday, 15 August 2014
On 15 May 2014, the Government of the Bahamas officially deposited with the Director-General of UNESCO its instrument of ratification of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The World Heritage Convention has entered into force for this State Party on 15 August 2014, with the Bahamas becoming the 191st State Party to accept this Convention. The ...
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UNESCO strengthens action to safeguard cultural heritage under attack
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
Recent events in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Mali have highlighted the multiple threats to cultural heritage during crisis, including deliberate attacks, destruction as collateral damage in fighting, the greed of unscrupulous traders and collectors, vandalism of factions that seek to erase the achievements of past cultures.These events have shown the complexity of any intervention to safeguard ...
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Panasonic hosts event for environmental education at Ogasawara Islands World Heritage site
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
As part of the "World Heritage Eco Learning Program", Panasonic hosted, from June 26th to 28th, the "Environmental activity for the next generation” at the Ogasawara Islands - a UNESCO World Heritage site.  During the event, Japanese children from Ogasawara Elementary School and Ogasawara Lions Club, recorded videos in collaboration with "Kids Witness News", a global hands-on video education ...
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State of conservation of Alto Douro Wine Region (Portugal)
Monday, 4 August 2014
Over the last several weeks, the World Heritage Centre as well as several Permanent Delegations of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention have received messages from an emailing campaign organized by the group of local NGOs “Plataforma Salvar o Tua” expressing its opposition to the construction of the Foz Tua Hydro-Electric Dam project, located in the buffer zone of the World ...
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Network of World Heritage Sites in Portugal created
Friday, 1 August 2014
On 18 July, site managers of World Heritage sites in Portugal and the Portuguese National Commission for UNESCO signed a cooperation agreement to create the Network of World Heritage Sites in Portugal. The event was hosted by the University of Coimbra (UC) and covered by UC Television Web. Through this agreement all partners have committed to promoting cooperation between Portuguese World ...
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'Culture and Development: World Heritage in the Caribbean' now published
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Culture & Development No.11World Heritage in the Caribbean The results of the Second Periodic Report on the State of World Heritage in Latin America and the Caribbean were presented at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), in June 2013. The UNESCO Office in Havana, with the aim of supporting the preparation of a new Action Plan for the Caribbean ...
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Emergency Response Action Plan to safeguard Iraqi heritage
Thursday, 17 July 2014
UNESCO today held a consultation with Iraqi and international cultural heritage experts and agreed on an Emergency Response Action Plan to safeguard Iraq’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. The Plan is intended to secure the cooperation of all stakeholders, including national and international organizations, humanitarian relief workers in the field, art dealers, international museums ...
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[in French only] Le braconnage s’intensifie dans le Parc National de la Garamba
Thursday, 17 July 2014
[in French only] Le Centre du patrimoine mondial s’inquiète de la recrudescence du braconnage et de la multiplication des attaques armées contre le Parc National, qui ont eu lieu ces deux derniers mois. Ainsi, les autorités congolaises déplorent le massacre de 78 éléphants depuis le mois d’avril 2014, soit environ 4% de l’effectif de ...
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African Ministers meet in Doha for Roundtable Discussion during 38th session of World Heritage Committee
Thursday, 10 July 2014
On the occasion of the 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee (Doha, Qatar), the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, joined the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova, and the Chairperson of the African World Heritage Fund, Mr Sibusiso Xaba, at a roundtable discussion on 21 June 2014 featuring interventions ...
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Agreement for Phase II of 'Strengthening Conservation and Management of Lumbini'
Wednesday, 2 July 2014
Phase II of “Strengthening Conservation and Management of Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, World Heritage Property” (2014-2017): Japan continues funding to safeguard Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace The Government of Nepal and UNESCO signed an agreement on Monday, 30 June 2014 to implement the three-year second phase of the project “Strengthening conservation ...
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Re-building Cultural Heritage in Mali
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
The value of rebuilding Timbuktu, a unique intellectual and spiritual capital rich in cultural treasures, is priceless for both Mali’s post-conflict recovery and for its significance for global patrimony. However $8 million is still required for the actual restoration costs, according to Lazare Eloudou Assomo, UNESCO Representative to Mali and global expert on the iconic World Heritage ...
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Emergency appeal launched to combat rise in elephant poaching
Monday, 30 June 2014
A UNESCO World Heritage site in Danger needs your help! Your donations will help the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra combat the crisis of poaching of Sumatran elephants. An emergency appeal has been launched by our partner, the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) for local conservation group HAkA. Please click here to donate. You can also watch the emergency appeal video by clicking ...
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Call for Applications: Master's in World Heritage Studies
Friday, 27 June 2014
Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (Germany) is receiving applications for the Master’s programme in World Heritage Studies.   CONCEPT The international Master’s programme World Heritage Studies was developed around the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Its curriculum reflects diverse approaches to ...
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Twenty six new properties added to World Heritage List at Doha meeting
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
The inscriptions of the 1000th site and Myanmar’s first property on the World Heritage List, were among the highlights of the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee, which ended today in Doha (Qatar). During its ten-day meeting, the Committee added a total of 26 new sites the List to bring the number of World Heritage Sites to 1007, in 161 countries. The session, chaired by ...
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UNESCO publishes a conservation manual and a study on the mausoleums for the Rehabilitation of Timbuktu
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
In the framework of UNESCO’s Action plan for the safeguarding of Mali’s cultural heritage adopted in February 2013, and as part of the World Heritage Earthen Architecture Programme (WHEAP 2007-2017), the World Heritage Centre has now published the Conservation Manual and the Study on Timbuktu’s Mausoleums. Both publications compile valuable documentation on this prominent World Heritage ...
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Six new sites inscribed on World Heritage List
Monday, 23 June 2014
Doha, 23 June – The World Heritage Committee this morning inscribed properties in the Russian Federation, Costa Rica, Viet Nam, India, Philippines and Denmark on the World Heritage List.  It also approved the extensions of a site in China and two transboundary sites in Poland and Belarus, and Denmark and Germany. The sites discussed include two cultural sites, a mixed natural and ...
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World Heritage List reaches 1000 sites with inscription of Okavango Delta in Botswana
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Doha, 22 June – Botswana’s Okavango Delta became the 1000th site inscribed on the World Heritage List today. Okavango was inscribed as a natural site by the World Heritage Committee, which is meeting in Doha (Qatar) under the Chair of Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Committee also inscribed sites in France, Israel, Italy,Turkey and the United States ...
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Myanmar’s first site inscribed to World Heritage List
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Doha, 22 June –Myanmar made its entry onto the World Heritage List today, with the inscription of its first site, Pyu Ancient Cities. The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Doha (Qatar) under the Chair of Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, also  inscribed Iran’s ‘Burnt City” on the List. Pyu Ancient Cities (Myanmar) includes the remains of ...
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Four new cultural sites inscribed on World Heritage List
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Doha, 22 June – The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Doha (Qatar) under the Chair of Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, this morning  inscribed four cultural sites in the Republic of Korea, China, and India on the World Heritage List, as well as a section of the Silk Roads network, submitted by Kyrgyzstan, China and Kazakhstan. The new properties are: ...
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Sites in Latin America and Germany inscribed on World Heritage List
Saturday, 21 June 2014
Doha, 21 June – The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Doha (Qatar) under the Chair of Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, this afternoon inscribed two new cultural sites and one mixed natural and cultural site on the World Heritage List. They include Qhapac Ñan, Latin America’s first serial property, crossing six countries across the continent. The new ...
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Sites in Iraq, Japan, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia inscribed on World Heritage List
Saturday, 21 June 2014
Doha, 21 June – The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Doha (Qatar) under the Chair of Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, has today inscribed the following sites on the World Heritage List. Erbil Citadel (Iraq) is a fortified settlement on the top of an imposing ovoid-shaped tell (a hill created by many generations of people living and rebuilding on the same spot) ...
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Meeting of Chairpersons of Committees of UNESCO’s Cultural Conventions
Saturday, 21 June 2014
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of the 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee, met today with Ambassador José Manuel Rodríguez Cuadros, Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Mr. Mauricio Escanero, Chairperson of the Subsidiary Committee of the Meeting of States Parties to ...
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Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines - Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir, inscribed on World Heritage List and on List of World Heritage in Danger
Friday, 20 June 2014
Doha, 20 June – The World Heritage Committee today began the examination of 36 sites nominated for inclusion on the World Heritage List.  The first property discussed was Palestine: Land of olives and vines, Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir, submitted by Palestine as an emergency nomination. The Committee approved the inscription of the site on the World Heritage List. It ...
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Developing historic cities: keys for understanding and taking action, a compilation of 40 case studies
Friday, 20 June 2014
This compilation of 40 case studies on the conservation and management of historic cities is now available in hard copy format, in English, French and Spanish. The compilation is available online in three languages: English, French and Spanish. This compilation of case studies on the conservation and management of historic cities Developing historic cities: keys for ...
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New Historic Urban Landscape website
Friday, 20 June 2014
The World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (WHITRAP) created a special web site dedicated to the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL).   The Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) is an approach to the management of heritage resources in dynamic and constantly changing environments. It is based on the recognition ...
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Youth-to-youth communication key to engaging young people in protection of World Heritage, concludes Doha Forum
Thursday, 19 June 2014
Delegates to the 2014 World Heritage Youth Forum held in Doha from 4 to 15 June, made it clear they expect to play a much bigger role in safeguarding the world’s heritage, and proposed a range of projects aimed at getting young people more involved. The Youth Forum has become an annual meeting held in conjunction with the session of the World Heritage Committee. This year’s Forum ...
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Poaching puts Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve on List of World Heritage in Danger
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Doha, 18 June – The World Heritage Committee meeting in Doha (Qatar) today inscribed the Selous Game Reserve (United Republic of Tanzania) on the List of World Heritage in Danger because widespread poaching is decimating wildlife populations on the property. The Committee called on the international community, including ivory transit and destination countries, to support Tanzania in the ...
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Decision on status of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef deferred until 2015
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Doha, 18 June – The World Heritage Committee meeting in Doha (Qatar) today deferred for 12 months a decision on whether to inscribe Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Committee’s concerns over the site relate to planned coastal developments, including development of ports and liquefied natural gas facilities. It has asked Australia ...
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City of Potosí (Plurinational State of Bolivia) added to List of World Heritage in Danger
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
Doha, 17 June – The World Heritage Committee meeting in Doha (Qatar) today inscribed the City of Potosi (Plurinational State of Bolivia) on the List of World Heritage in Danger, because of continued and uncontrolled mining operations in the Cerro Rico Mountain that risk degrading the site. In the 16th century, Potosi was regarded as the world’s largest industrial complex. The ...
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Tanzania’s Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara removed from UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
The World Heritage Committee meeting in Doha (Qatar) has found that management and safeguarding of the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara in the United Republic of Tanzania have improved to the point where the site can be removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger. Located on two islands close to each other just off the Tanzanian coast about 300km south of Dar es ...
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The World Heritage Resource Manual Series - Now in Spanish
Monday, 16 June 2014
Since the World Heritage Convention was adopted in 1972, the World Heritage List has continually evolved and is growing steadily. With this growth, a critical need has emerged for guidance for States Parties on the implementation of the Convention. Various expert meetings and results of the periodic reporting process have identified the need for more focused training and capacity development ...
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UNESCO and Seabourn partnership for World Heritage protection and sustainable tourism
Monday, 16 June 2014
Doha, 16 June – UNESCO and cruise operator Seabourn today announced a six-year, $1 million partnership agreement aimed at reinforcing protection for World Heritage and promoting sustainable tourism. The partnership will work to foster wider support and understanding in the travel industry and among travelers, for UNESCO’s mission of identifying, safeguarding and promoting ...
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World Heritage Committee meeting opens in Doha
Sunday, 15 June 2014
Qatar announces $10m donation for new heritage protection initiative. Doha, 15 June —The Prime Minister of Qatar, Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, today announced a $10 million donation to a new fund to protect World Heritage sites affected by conflict or natural disaster. The Prime Minister made the announcement during the opening ceremony of the annual meeting of the World ...
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UNESCO commends the decision by SOCO to halt oil exploration activities in Virunga National Park as a step in the right direction
Thursday, 12 June 2014
UNESCO has welcomed the announcement by SOCO international this week to halt oil exploration activities in the Virunga National Park, a World Heritage Site in Danger in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  In a joint statement with the World Wildlife Fund, the British company agreed “not to undertake or commission any exploratory or other drilling within Virunga National Park unless ...
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World Heritage Centre partners with pioneer Catlin Seaview Survey
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Using its revolutionary 360-degree panoramic underwater camera, the Catlin Seaview Survey aims at revealing the hidden wonders of our oceans. This technology will for the first time provide a comprehensive snapshot of the exceptional values of marine sites on the World Heritage List. Through its dive expeditions, the survey captures stunning imagery every few seconds allowing anyone with ...
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Today at UNESCO: A virtual dive to celebrate World Oceans Day
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
In celebration of World Oceans Day, the World Heritage Centre presents "A virtual dive in six marine World Heritage sites" By Richard Vevers, CEO, Underwater Earth And an address on the World Hertiage Convention and its contribution to ocean conservation by His Excellency Michael Worbs, Ambassador of Germany to UNESCO Tuesday, 10 June 2014 at 5:30 p.m. Restaurant, 7th floor, UNESCO, 125 ...
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Special Issue of World Heritage magazine dedicated to Qatar
Friday, 6 June 2014
At the occasion of the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee, held from 15 to 25 June 2014 in Doha (Qatar), a special issue of World Heritage is dedicated to Al Zubarah Archaeological Site, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2013, which flourished as a pearling and trading centre in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and offers outstanding testimony to an urban trading ...
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International workshop held on strengthening south-south collaboration on World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism
Thursday, 5 June 2014
From 23 to 24 May 2014, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in collaboration with the Beijing Zhongkun Investment Group organized the workshop “Strengthening South-South collaboration on World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism” in Hongcun Village, China. Hongcun Village is one of the Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000. The event gathered World ...
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The Bahamas ratifies World Heritage Convention, completing ratification by Latin America and Caribbean Region
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
On 15 May 2014, the Government of the Bahamas officially deposited with the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, its instrument of ratification for the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The World Heritage Convention will enter into force for the Bahamas on 15 August 2014, making the island country the 191st State Party to the Convention, ...
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Report published following Workshop on World Heritage and Human Rights
Monday, 2 June 2014
The report resulting from the workshop held in Oslo, Norway from 1 to 3 April 2014 on the theme “Building capacity to support rights-based approaches in the World Heritage Convention: Learning from practice” is now available (see attachment below). In April this year an international invitation-only workshop was held for about 30 IUCN, ICCROM and ICOMOS experts representing most ...
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World Heritage Committee to meet in Doha from 15 to 25 June
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
The World Heritage Committee will consider the inscription of 40 sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List when it meets in Doha (Qatar) from 15 to 25 June under the chair of Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. Sites to be considered include five that are extensions to sites already on the List. The state of conservation of existing World Heritage sites will also be ...
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UNESCO and AWHF bring together African World Heritage site managers and local communities for entrepreneurship training
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
In May 2014, forty participants, including site managers and local community representatives from World Heritage sites in Africa, participated in two separate “Entrepreneurial Training Workshops for World Heritage” in Ghana and Senegal, coordinated by the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) in partnership with the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Offices in Accra and Dakar, the Ecole ...
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UNESCO to create an Observatory for the Safeguarding of Syria’s Cultural Heritage
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
UNESCO will establish an observatory in Beirut (Lebanon) to monitor and assess the state of Syria’s cultural heritage. The decision was made during an international meeting of experts held at UNESCO from 26 - 28 May. The Observatory will monitor the state of buildings, artefacts and intangible cultural heritage to combat illicit trafficking and collect information to restore heritage ...
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Safeguarding living cultural traditions at the World Heritage site of Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
The Kingdom of Buganda, once the largest of all the traditional kingdoms in East Africa, bears an eloquent witness to the living cultural traditions of present day Uganda. At the heart of this legacy lies the former palace of the Kabakas (Kings) of Buganda, built in 1882 and later converted into the royal burial grounds known as the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga. After the fire in 2010 the main ...
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Safeguarding sites for sustainable development in Ethiopia
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
UNESCO Sites are symbols of our work in support of sustainable development. The international community helps us ensure these sites, of outstanding universal value, function as models of heritage conservation and sustainable human living. In Ethiopia, UNESCO's work includes developing integrated management plans for sites such as Simien Mountains National Park, the Castles of Gondar, and Lake ...
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre renews partnership for elementary education
Thursday, 22 May 2014
UNESCO has renewed its partnership with NTT Docomo, Dentsu and Evergreen (Japan), with the goal of educating elementary school pupils about World Heritage through dedicated apps for tablets and web content for teachers. First launched in 2013, the current agreement is extended to spring 2015 with a focus on teaching children in Japanese schools about natural World Heritage through games, ...
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UNESCO publishes a practical guide on climate change adaptation for natural World Heritage sites
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
A practical guide on climate change adaptation for natural World Heritage sites has been published in the latest edition of the UNESCO World Heritage Paper Series, thanks to the generous support of the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust and the Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment.  Climate change has become more prominent as a management concern. The World ...
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2014 State of conservation reports now available online
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
At its 38th session to be held in Doha, Qatar, from 15 to 25 June 2014, the World Heritage Committee will examine the state of conservation of 150 World Heritage properties.  The full reports are now publicly available through the World Heritage State of conservation Information System at the following Web address: whc.unesco.org/en/soc As part of the reactive monitoring process for ...
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3rd Roundtable of African Ministers on World Heritage in Africa
Monday, 19 May 2014
On the occasion of the 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee (Doha, Qatar), the World Heritage Centre and the African World Heritage Fund are organizing a Roundtable Discussion for African Ministers responsible for World Heritage with the Director General of UNESCO on 21 June. This Roundtable Discussion will allow African Ministers to share their views on the accomplishments, ...
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Reconstruction of the Tombs of the Buganda Kings begins
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
The reconstruction of the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi in Uganda was launched today at a ceremony held on the World Heritage site, which was partially destroyed by fire in March 2010.The project , which is financed by Japan, is being implemented by the Ugandan Government and UNESCO. The ceremony was attended by several government representatives including Uganda’s Permanent ...
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Global Ocean Summit makes Marine World Heritage “pitch for action”
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
From 22 to 25 April 2014, government leaders, ocean practitioners, business, science, donors and international agencies came together at the Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth. The Summit, hosted by the government of the Netherlands, aimed at identifying solutions, financing mechanisms and mobilizing innovative partnerships to scale up the efforts toward healthy ...
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Training of Local Guides Launched for the Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns World Heritage site
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
UNESCO Bangkok Director Gwang-Jo Kim and Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) Director-General Nalikatibhag Sangsnit officially launched the “Cultural Heritage Specialist Guides for the Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns World Heritage Site” project at a ceremony in Sukhothai on 21 April. The Historic Town of Sukhothai and ...
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2013-2014 World Heritage map published in Arabic
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
The latest version of the World Heritage map, produced by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and National Geographic Maps, has now been published in Arabic thanks to support from the Qatar Museums Authority. The map is an extremely valuable learning and awareness-raising tool that gives a rich and initial contact with the World Heritage concept, allowing UNESCO to communicate its work in this ...
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Director-General condemns attack on Emmanuel de Merode, Director of the Virunga National Park
Thursday, 17 April 2014
"It is with distress and anger that I learned of the violent attack against Emmanuel de Merode, chief warden of Virunga National Park,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. “We are following his condition closely and wish him a full and speedy recovery," she added. “It is unacceptable that professionals like those of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of ...
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The Loire Valley: view from the train
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
The cultural landscape of the Loire Valley (France) has launched a new promotion and interpretation tool: a geo localized application for Smartphones on the landscape of the Loire valley: "The Loire valley: view from the train “. This application is a Mission Val de Loire’s initiative with the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions’, in partnership with France’s national ...
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Director-General offers UNESCO’s support for Chile in the face of devastating fires in Valparaiso
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today expressed deep concern over the destruction caused by fires that have been raging around the city of Valparaiso and pledged the Organization’s support for Chile in safeguarding the Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003. “I wish to present my heartfelt condolences ...
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'Managing Cultural World Heritage' reference manual published in French
Monday, 14 April 2014
This manual provides guidance for States Parties and all those involved in the care of World Heritage cultural properties on how to comply with the requirements of the World Heritage Convention. It also aims to help States Parties to ensure that heritage has a dynamic role in society and harnesses, but also delivers to others, the mutual benefits that such a role can create. The English ...
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The first stage in the rehabilitation of cultural heritage of Timbuktu (Mali) is complete
Monday, 14 April 2014
Launched on 14 March 2014 in partnership with UNESCO, the rehabilitation work carried out on Sheik Baber Baba Idjé and Sheik Mahamane Al Fullani mausoleums of Timbuktu was completed this week. Mausoleums, adjacent to the west side of the Djingareyber Mosque, had been razed to the ground by armed rebel groups on 10 July 2012. Their reconstruction was thus carried out along the ...
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UNESCO renews partnership with Our Place, photographer of World Heritage sites
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
UNESCO has announced the renewal of its partnership agreement with OUR PLACE Publishing Ltd. The New Zealand-based company will continue its mission to photograph and promote the sites inscribed on the World Heritage List. Our Place has been documenting World Heritage sites around the globe since first partnering with UNESCO in 2007. So far, Our Place has documented over 360 sites in more ...
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Director-General Opens International Conference in Bergen on UNESCO Culture Conventions
Monday, 24 March 2014
On 24 March, the UNESCO Director-General opened an International Conference in Bergen, Norway, on the UNESCO 1972, 2003 and 2005 conventions, entitled “Synergies for Development -- Using natural and cultural heritage in sustainable development.” The Conference is organized by the University of Bergen, in cooperation with the National Commission of Norway for UNESCO, the City of Bergen, the ...
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Urban Regeneration for Historic Cairo Video Competition
Friday, 21 March 2014
The URHC project team invites young filmmakers and urban heritage lovers aged between 18 and 30 years to produce a video of 5 minutes or less, expressing their vision of Historic Cairo. How do you see Historic Cairo heritage? Show us your vision of the historic soul of the Egyptian capital and of its future.Your video could win the opportunity to represent the image of Historic ...
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Reconstruction of World Heritage mausoleums starts in Timbuktu (Mali)
Friday, 14 March 2014
Residents of Timbuktu today launched the reconstruction of World Heritage mausoleums damaged by the armed extremists who occupied the north and centre of Mali in 2012. During the occupation, the extremists began to destroy the mausoleums - important edifices that bear witness to the golden age of Timbuktu as an economic, intellectual and spiritual centre in the 15th and 16th centuries. These ...
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Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, for CITES communication campaign for the first edition of World Wildlife Day
Monday, 3 March 2014
Today, we celebrate the first World Wildlife Day, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly. Since time immemorial, humanity has marvelled at the wild animals with which we co-exist and on which we depend. Prehistoric peoples have depicted wildlife through rock art and engravings, many of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. UNESCO’s global network of World Heritage sites ...
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3rd edition of ‘The World’s Heritage’ by UNESCO Publishing and Collins features all 981 sites
Thursday, 27 February 2014
The third edition of The World’s Heritage is available now, published by UNESCO Publishing and Collins. Featuring all 981 entries on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with all the new sites inscribed onto the list by the World Heritage Committee in 2013. With only the world’s most spectacular and extraordinary sites making it on to the list, The World’s Heritage (third edition) is a beautiful ...
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Policy-makers in Uzbekistan meet to discuss implementation of World Heritage Convention
Monday, 24 February 2014
On 20 February 2014 in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, a discussion on the requirements of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was organized jointly with the Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the UNESCO Tashkent Office. Mr Sodik Salikhovich Safoev, Head of the Committee on International Relations of the Senate of Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of the ...
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UNESCO Director-General condemns military presence and destruction at World Heritage Sites in Syria
Thursday, 20 February 2014
In the face of a deteriorating situation inside Syria, the UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, made the following statement : "The situation in Syria is deteriorating at a rapid pace with incalculable human suffering and loss. Syria’s unique cultural heritage is also subject to tremendous destruction from the conflict. To date, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites -- Palmyra, the Crac ...
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Workshop increases community involvement in African natural World Heritage sites
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Managers of natural World Heritage sites in Africa met with national coordinators of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Small Grants Programme from several African countries in Limbe, Cameroon from 10 to 14 February to discuss how to involve local communities in the conservation of World Heritage sites. This workshop is part of UNESCO’s Africa Nature Programme, which aims to ...
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First mission to Gao since end of military occupation of northern Mali takes stock of serious damage to the city’s cultural heritage
Thursday, 13 February 2014
UNESCO, Malian and international experts have completed the first assessment of damage to cultural heritage in Gao, following the occupation by armed groups of parts of northern Mali. Their work addressed both sites and the cultural practices of local people. “Urgent measures are required to safeguard the Tomb of Askia World Heritage site before the next rainy season in June,” ...
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Over 3 million USD pledged for the African World Heritage Fund at African Union Head of State Summit
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
On Friday 31 January 2014, UNESCO joined forces with the African Union Commission to raise awareness and funds for the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) during the African Union (AU) Heads of State luncheon at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Participants pledged a total of 3,050,000 USD in support of the AWHF Endowment Fund. 54 Member States of the African Union were invited ...
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Potential boundary modification to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage site
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre has taken note of information provided by individuals and civil society organizations concerning the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage site, and thanks them for their considerations and concerns. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre has received a request from the Australian Government seeking the approval of the World Heritage Committee for a minor ...
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Banc d’Arguin National Park and Wadden Sea sign historic Twinning Arrangement
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
The Banc d’Arguin National Park (Mauritania) and The Wadden Sea (Germany /The Netherlands) are the most critical sites for migratory birds on the East Atlantic Flyway and are intimately connected in a unique and fascinating way. The Wadden Sea provides support to migratory birds as a staging, moulting and wintering area. Every year, approximately 30% of the estimated 7 million wading ...
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South Asia World Heritage Serial Nomination for the Silk Roads Project Launched with the Support of the UNESCO/Korea Funds-in-Trust
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
The UNESCO/Korea Funds-in-Trust project, “Support for the Preparation of the World Heritage Serial Nomination for the Silk Roads in South Asia,” was officially approved last July 2013 and has now launched operational activities, in the form of consultation and training meetings, both in Nepal and Bhutan in October and November 2013, respectively. This undertaking will highlight a ...
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The OWHC’s Regional Secretariat for Northwest Europe publishes position paper
Friday, 7 February 2014
The Regional Secretariat Northwest Europe of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC), one of the organization’s 8 regional secretariats, has recently published a position paper on “Safeguarding and Further Developing World Heritage Cities”. Based on the experiences of its member cities, the paper addresses the challenges and experimented hands-on solutions to ...
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UNESCO welcomes growing commitment by oil, gas and mining corporations to keep out of World Heritage sites
Monday, 3 February 2014
UNESCO has welcomed confirmation from French-based oil and gas corporation Total that it will refrain from prospecting or exploiting oil and gas in natural sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, saying this was an encouraging sign for World Heritage conservation. In a letter sent earlier this month to UNESCO, Total’s Directeur délégué, Relations avec les ONG ...
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Great Barrier Reef state of conservation
Friday, 31 January 2014
The World Heritage Committee, at its last meeting in June 2013, expressed concern for the Great Barrier Reef and requested Australia ensure that the property remains well protected. We received a report on the state of conservation from the Australian government this week. We are currently reviewing this report and all other available information regarding developments concerning the ...
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UNESCO Director-General Condemns Destruction to the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, Egypt
Friday, 24 January 2014
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today expressed grave concern about the damage to Egypt’s Museum of Islamic Art, following the reported explosion of a car near the Police Security Directorate, which is located at Port Said Street in Cairo, in front of the main entrance of the Museum. “I firmly condemn this attack and the destruction it has caused to the ...
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Angkor: Managing Success
Friday, 20 December 2013
The millennial temples of Angkor with their monumental architecture, infinitely fine bas-reliefs, enduring spiritual significance and complex irrigation system constitute one of the most impressive success stories of the World Heritage Convention. The symbol of a whole nation, the 400km2 site lay fallow in the early 1990s. While monks continued to pray at many temples in the site, ...
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Five World Heritage sites in Azerbaijan and Belgium granted “enhanced protection” in the event of armed conflict
Friday, 20 December 2013
Two World Heritage sites in Azerbaijan and three in Belgium have been given "enhanced protection" status by the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which held its eighth meeting at UNESCO Headquarters from 18-19 December 2013. The properties, which have been granted this status, are the Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah’s Palace and ...
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Happy New Year from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Friday, 20 December 2013
Happy New Year from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre International Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)World Heritage fosters sustainable development. For SIDS, sustainable development is not a choice, but a question of survival.-->
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UNESCO publishes proceedings of the International Colloquium on the World Heritage Earthen Architecture Programme (WHEAP)
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
The proceedings of the International Colloquium on the conservation of World Heritage Earthen Architecture have been published in the latest edition of the UNESCO World Heritage Paper Series: Earthen Architecture in Today’s World, thanks to the generous support of the Italian Funds in Trust to UNESCO. The Colloquium took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 17 and 18 December 2012 - the ...
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A cultural centre and museum to be built at the Bamiyan World Heritage Site
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
The World Heritage site in Bamiyan has received further support today with the Government of the Republic of Korea committing to provide US$5.4 to build a museum and cultural centre. The signing of the agreement saw the participation of H.E. Dr. Sayed Makhdoum Raheen, Minister of Information and Culture, H.E. Mr. Cha Youngcheol, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Afghanistan, and Mr. ...
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UNESCO expert mission assesses recovery measures after Philippines disasters
Monday, 16 December 2013
UNESCO dispatched an expert mission to the Philippines from 4 to 11 December following the massive earthquake and powerful typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which successively struck the central region of the country in October and early November 2013. The goal of the mission was to assist the Government and people of the Philippines in assessing the impact of the disasters on immovable, movable, and ...
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Panasonic World Heritage 2014 Calendar in paper, online and tablet PC app formats now available
Thursday, 12 December 2013
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Panasonic Corporation have released the 2014 World Heritage calendar. Featuring stunning photographs of World Heritage sites from around the world, this popular calendar can be used in paper, online and tablet app versions. UNESCO and Panasonic have been creating wall calendars since 1995 and a web version since 2010. The wall calendar includes brief ...
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28 students from 11 countries recognized at UNESCO for their work on preserving the environment
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Ádám Riba, from Hungary, the laureate of this year’s Panasonic Eco Picture Diary award, was one of the 28 children from 11 countries who were given a three-day trip to Paris and a visit to UNESCO for their participation in the Eco Picture Diary on 5 December. Three-hundred thousand children from all over the world took part in the contest which requires children ...
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Nelson Mandela “a giant among men” says Director-General
Friday, 6 December 2013
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today paid tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday night, 5 December. “Nelson Mandela was truly a giant among men,” Irina Bokova said. “He not only changed South Africa’s history, he changed the world and made it a better place. He taught us all a lesson on the power of peace and ...
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Download the new World Heritage magazine app – free for a limited time!
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Available for iPad, Android and Kindle Fire tablets, this new app allows you to download World Heritage magazine. Lavishly illustrated, and published quarterly since 1996 in English, French and Spanish, World Heritage is UNESCO’s official publication devoted to sites inscribed on the World Heritage List and their conservation. With the app, not only can you read exclusive articles ...
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"Benefits Beyond Boundaries" published in French, Korean
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Published on the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, this thematic collection of case studies provides a thorough understanding of World Heritage sites and their Outstanding Universal Value in the context of sustainable development. It is now available in French and Korean versions. The case studies describe twenty-six thematically, typologically and regionally diverse World ...
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Mobilizing living heritage for sustainable development
Monday, 2 December 2013
The 24 members of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will meet in Baku (Azerbaijan) from 2 to 7 December 2013 for the eighth ordinary session to review the progress made by the States Parties on the legal, regulatory and institutional measures taken to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage in their countries. Over ...
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World Heritage Volunteers 2014 - Action for Sustainability
Monday, 2 December 2013
Are you a youth organization and want to sensitize young people about the value of World Heritage sites?  Or are you an NGO and wish to organize an action camp to preserve and promote a World Heritage site, with young international volunteers? Here is a way to do so! We are pleased to announce the call for proposals for the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) 2014. This year the campaign ...
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Heritage protection efforts underway after natural disasters in Philippines
Monday, 2 December 2013
A massive earthquake and powerful typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) successively struck central Philippines in October and early November 2013, causing catastrophic destruction and human loss. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre has expressed its deepest sympathy to the Government and people of the Philippines for their tragic losses, and conveyed its commitment to support their recovery ...
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Cocos Island National Park receives exceptional donation from Jaeger-LeCoultre
Friday, 29 November 2013
On 27 November, Swiss watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre, a partner of the World Heritage Centre, donated 30,000 Euros for the preservation of Cocos Island National Park. This World Heritage marine site is located 550 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is the only island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. The donation will be used to improve the conditions ...
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UNESCO strengthens cooperation with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
UNWTO is the specialized agency of the United Nations in charge of promoting a responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. A new memorandum of Understanding was signed by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, in the margins of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination in New York. The Agreement provides a framework for ...
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Twelve new members elected to World Heritage Committee
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
On 19 November, representatives of the 190 States Parties to the 1972 World Heritage Convention elected 12 new members to the 21-member intergovernmental Committee in charge of managing UNESCO’s World Heritage List and implementing the Convention. The new members of the World Heritage Committee, elected for four years, are: Croatia, Finland, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, ...
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40th anniversary: Proceedings of the Closing Event published
Monday, 18 November 2013
Celebrating 40 years of the World Heritage Convention, the proceedings of the Closing Event of the Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, has been published. This electronic publication provides the vivid record of the three-day landmark event, which was organized jointly by the Government of Japan and UNESCO World Heritage Centre, in Kyoto, Japan, 6-8 November ...
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'Managing Cultural World Heritage' reference manual published
Saturday, 16 November 2013
This manual provides guidance for States Parties and all those involved in the care of World Heritage cultural properties on how to comply with the requirements of the World Heritage Convention. It also aims to help States Parties to ensure that heritage has a dynamic role in society and harnesses, but also delivers to others, the mutual benefits that such a role can create. Managing ...
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New database : State of Conservation of World Heritage properties
Saturday, 16 November 2013
The significant number of reports prepared by UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee represents an exceptional documentation on conservation issues, one of the most comprehensive monitoring systems of any international conventions, through a global network of hundreds of sites. The Information System is a comprehensive database on the state of conservation of World ...
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Free app download for one day only: Atlas by Collins, including all World Heritage sites
Monday, 28 October 2013
The Atlas by Collins app can be downloaded for free on Tuesday, October 29th. The app comes with one globe pre-installed and includes 10 other globes that can be downloaded.  The free download is available to celebrate the launch of the World Heritage globe. With the World Heritage globe: Discover the locations of all 981 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Learn about the criteria for ...
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UNESCO provides cultural heritage training to UN personnel in Mali
Monday, 21 October 2013
UNESCO on 14 October delivered a first training course in cultural heritage protection to military, police and civilian staff from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, France, Romania, Rwanda, Togo and the United Kingdom, who are part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The session comes in the wake of United Nations Security Council Resolution ...
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Managing Marine World Heritage: Our Crown Jewels of the Ocean
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Managers from 46 marine World Heritage sites will meet in Ajaccio, Corsica, from October 18-20, for the second World Heritage Marine Site Managers’ conference. The World Heritage Convention was founded in 1972 on the premise that certain places on our planet – cultural or natural -- should be recognized as having “outstanding universal value” and should be safeguarded ...
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UNESCO Director-General deplores suicide attack near Djingareyber Mosque in Timbuktu
Monday, 30 September 2013
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, deplored the suicide attack that took place on 28 September, near the Djingareyber Mosque in Timbuktu, Mali, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. "I wish to express my solidarity with the people of Mali, the families and especially the community of Timbuktu, for the suicide bombing that brings back such terror and violence by injuring ...
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Emergency Red List of Syrian Antiquities at Risk is launched in New York
Monday, 30 September 2013
On Wednesday, 25 September, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova joined the President of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Dr. Hans-Martin Hinz, and United States Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, Ms Anne Richard, to launch an Emergency Red List of Syrian Cultural Objects at Risk. The event was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York ...
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Lumbini, Birthplace of Buddha: new book of photographs
Monday, 23 September 2013
A joint publication of UNESCO and the Paris-based NGO Oriental Cultural Heritage Sites Protection Alliance, Lumbini, Birthplace of Buddha is a novel approach at encapsulating this site’s timeless essence.  Eight photographers – three Nepali and five from around the world – used their unique vision to capture the Sacred Garden experience and, in the tradition of ...
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Conclusions of the 3rd and 4th HERITY International Conferences
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
The results of the 3rd and 4th HERITY Conferences, held in Rome, Italy in December 2010 and 2012, are now available. The conferences and their conclusions were made possible thanks to contributions from UNESCO-WHC, UN-WTO, ICCROM and HERITY International. For more information on HERITY, the different conferences and their results, please visit: ...
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“Stop the destruction!” urges UNESCO Director-General
Friday, 30 August 2013
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today called on all parties involved in the conflict in Syria to safeguard the country’s cultural heritage and take all possible measures to avoid further destruction. The Director-General’s appeal followed a meeting of experts held at the Organization’s Headquarters today to examine  an action plan aimed at preventing ...
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In Memoriam: Professor Walter Santagata
Monday, 19 August 2013
The World Heritage Centre has learnt with deep sadness of the recent passing away of Professor Walter Santagata, a long-time collaborator of UNESCO and the creator, among many other scientific programmes, of the Turin Category 2 centre for training and research on the economics of World Heritage (ITRECH, 2011). The establishment of this institution, aimed at exploring the economic dimension ...
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Cahokia Mounds welcomes 10 millionth visitor since it became a World Heritage site
Monday, 19 August 2013
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site on Tuesday welcomed its 10 millionth visitor since achieving the rare distinction of being designated a World Heritage site. Visitor N° 10,000,000 was Michelle Miller of Waterloo, Ill. She was accompanied by her mother, Lorraine Novak; daughter Gabrielle Miller; and her daughter’s friend Keira Schmitz. Miller received a personal tour of the site ...
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Report on the Historic Urban Landscape Workshops and Field Activities on the Swahili coast in East Africa 2011-2012
Sunday, 18 August 2013
On 10 November 2011 UNESCO’s General Conference adopted the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, six years after the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention adopted Resolution 15GA/7 (in October 2005) that called for the elaboration of a new international standard-setting instrument that would be based on the recognition and guidance of investment in and ...
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Val de Loire World Heritage (France) information and one day workshop on Economy, Heritage and Landscape
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
The Val de Loire World Heritage cultural landscape (France) is organizing a one-day workshop on Economy, Heritage and Landscape, to be held 12th  December 2013 in Tours. The workshop will focus mainly on policies and politics, and assessing the economic, environmental and cultural current and future returns on investments in the economic, landscape and heritage spheres. Discussions ...
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Report published on the initiative "Engaging Local Communities in the Stewardship of World Heritage" (COMPACT)
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
New report on lessons learned to engage local communities in the Conservation of World Heritage sites launched during the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee The role of local communities in ensuring that World Heritage contributes to sustainable development was chosen by the World Heritage Committee as the central theme for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Convention ...
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Africa Nature risk preparedness workshop held in South Africa
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
The Africa Nature risk preparedness workshop took place from the 20th-25th May 2013 at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Organized by African World Heritage Fund with the support of the Government of South Africa, this workshop aimed at English-speaking African countries. It gathered 14 site managers from natural World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia, Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, ...
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Wildlife crime is robbing the future of Africa - Jeune Afrique
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Given the current rate of poaching, children from West or Central Africa will one day speak of elephants and rhinoceros as we speak of mammoths: as magnificent creatures belonging to the past. Over recent years, the massacre of wild species has reached an industrial scale, in particular the poaching of animals for their ivory. In Gabon alone, some 11,000 elephants have been killed illegally ...
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Best practice management at the Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems
Friday, 26 July 2013
For the first time, the Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems brought together all the local communities actively involved in the management of this exceptional marine World Heritage site from 5 to 6 July. The local management committees are unique in their endeavor to include the local population in the management of the lagoons in a very comprehensive ...
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UNESCO, Turkey and Japan launch project to safeguard the World Heritage site of Cappadocia (Turkey)
Thursday, 18 July 2013
H.E. Gürcan Balik, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Turkey to UNESCO, and Kishore Rao, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, on 17 July signed a Plan of Operations for a $1.2 million project to safeguard the Turkish World Heritage site of Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia. H. E. Mr Isao Kiso, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Japan was also ...
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UNESCO Director-General deplores the escalation of violence and the damage to World Heritage in Syria
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has expressed deep shock at news of further destruction to cultural heritage in Syria, and particularly following the publication of media reports and images depicting damage to the Crac des Chevaliers, one of Syria’s World Heritage sites. These two castles are outstanding examples of the region’s fortified architecture developed ...
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Workshop on management and valorization of paleo-metallurgical sites
Monday, 15 July 2013
The French Grand Sites Network and its International Training and Exchange Centre for Francophone Heritage Sites Managers organized recently an “Exchange Workshop on management and valorization of paleo-metallurgical sites”. From the 20th to the 24th of May 2013, this workshop gathered sixteen managers of patrimonial sites and paleo-metallurgical experts of Western Africa and ...
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"Rivers and heritage" UNESCO Chair created
Monday, 15 July 2013
On 6th May 2013, the creation of a “Rivers and heritage” UNESCO Chair was approved by UNESCO. This project stems from a partnership between the University François Rabelais in Tours (France), the University of Angers (France) and the Mission Val de Loire which is the management body of the Val de Loire site World Heritage site. The creation of a UNESCO chair is part of the ...
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Earliest Buddhist shrines in South Asia discovered in Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal
Sunday, 7 July 2013
New excavations within the Maya Devi Temple of Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini, Nepal, have revealed evidence of a series of shrines extending the history of the site to a much earlier date than previously known. Until now, the earliest Buddhist temples have been attributed to Emperor Ashoka, who in the 3rd century BC spread Buddhism across the region, as evidenced by his Pillar and ...
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Closing ceremony of World Heritage Committee brings to life the ancient culture of Angkor
Friday, 28 June 2013
Some 500 of the 1400 participants of the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee made the journey from Phnom Penh to Siam Reap and visited the Terrace of the Elephants at Angkor Thom ahead of the closing ceremony of the event. The stone elephants that flank the impressive platform built some eight centuries ago by Angkor's King Jayavarman VII for public ceremonies were surrounded by ...
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Sites in Germany and Italy bring to 19 the number of sites inscribed on the World Heritage List this year
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Two new sites and one extension to a Polish site were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on Sunday afternoon, bringing to 19 the total number of sites added to the List during the 37th session taking place in Phnom Penh. The latest inscriptions are: Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, (Germany) Descending a long hill dominated by a giant statue of Hercules, the monumental water ...
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My Son, Viet Nam: Director-General Celebrates Restoration of World Heritage Champa Kingdom Monuments
Sunday, 23 June 2013
After 16 years of excavation and restoration work, a group of tower temples and monuments belonging to the My Son Sanctuary, once the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom, were inaugurated by the Director-General with Vietnamese authorities and the Ambassador of Italy to Viet Nam on 22 June. Under steady rainfall, dancers and musicians lined the path leading through lush ...
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Sites in Ukraine, the Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Sunday, 23 June 2013
The World Heritage Committee inscribed the following three sites on Sunday morning: Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora (Ukraine). The site features the remains of a city founded by Dorian Greeks in the 5th century BC on the northern shores of the Black Sea. It encompasses six component sites with urban remains and agricultural lands divided into several hundreds of chora, ...
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Honghe Hani Rice Terraces inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage alongside an extension to the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
Saturday, 22 June 2013
The World Heritage Committee has inscribed a site of rice terraces in Yunnan (China) and an extension to the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park which is now known as the mixed cultural and natural Maloti Drakensberg Tranboundary World Heritage Site (Lesotho and South Africa). Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, China The Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, China covers ...
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Qatar and Fiji get their first World Heritage sites as World Heritage Committee makes six additions to UNESCO List
Saturday, 22 June 2013
Qatar and Fiji had their first World Heritage sites inscribed during the afternoon session of the World Heritage Committee on Saturday, as the intergovernmental body added six properties to UNESCO’s World Heritage List Fujisan, Sacred Place and Source of Artistic Inspiration (Japan) The beauty of the solitary, often snow-capped, stratovolcano, known around the world as Mount Fuji, ...
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World Heritage Committee inscribes two new natural sites from China and Namibia on UNESCO World Heritage List
Friday, 21 June 2013
China’s Xinjiang Tianshan and Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on Friday. Mount Kenya-Lewa Wildlife conservancy (Kenya), was also inscribed as an extension  to Mount Kenya Natural Park / Natural Forest. Xinjiang Tianshan (China) Xinjiang Tianshan (China) comprises four components—Tomur, Kalajun-Kuerdening, Bayinbukuke and ...
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Mount Etna and the Mountains of Pamir inscribed on World Heritage List alongside El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar
Friday, 21 June 2013
The World Heritage Committee has inscribed natural sites from Tajikistan, Italy, and Mexico on the World Heritage List. Tajikistan National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan) Tajikistan National Park (Tajikistan) covers more than 2.5 million hectares in the east of the country, at the centre of the so-called “Pamir Knot”, a meeting point of the highest mountain ranges ...
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Hill Forts of Rajastan and Wooden Churches of the Carpathian region inscribed on World Heritage List
Friday, 21 June 2013
The World Heritage Committee today inscribed two new cultural World Heritage sites, one in India and the other astride the border of Poland and Ukraine. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (India) The serial site, situated in the state of Rajastahan, includes six majestic forts in Chittorgarh; Kumbhalgarh; Sawai Madhopur; Jhalawar; Jaipur, and Jaisalmer. The ecclectic architecture of the forts, some up ...
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Syria’s Six World Heritage sites placed on List of World Heritage in Danger
Thursday, 20 June 2013
The World Heritage Committee has decided to place the six World Heritage sites of the Syrian Arab Republic on the List of World Heritage in Danger so as to draw attention to the risks they are facing because of the situation in the country. The danger listing is intended to mobilize all possible support for the safeguarding of these properties which are recognized by the international ...
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Youths practice hands-on site conservation at 2013 World Heritage Youth Forum at Angkor, Cambodia
Thursday, 20 June 2013
The World Heritage Youth Forum, Cambodia 2013 was held at the site of Angkor, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 8 to 16 June 2013, in conjunction with the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee. The event gathered 36 youth representatives from 16 countries, including 20 from Cambodia. The World Heritage Youth Forum aimed at raising awareness among young people about the ...
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New opportunity for training in risk management at World Heritage sites
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre, in partnership with the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) and in collaboration with the Centre for Heritage Development in Africa (CHDA) and the Ministry of Arts and Culture of Mauritius, is organising a month-long field training project on risk management at World Heritage sites from the 19 August 2013 to 13 September 2013 at the Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne ...
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UNESCO and Panasonic renew strategic partnership agreement
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
UNESCO and Panasonic Corporation announced the renewal of their strategic partnership agreement today. The new agreement will run for two years from June 2013 to May 2015. The strategic framework agreement was signed by UNESCO Director-General, Ms. Irina Bokova and Senior Managing Executive Officer of Panasonic Corporation, Mr. Takumi Kajisha, on June 18, 2013, in Phnom Penh in the Kingdom ...
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World Heritage Committee inscribes East Rennell on the List of World Heritage in Danger
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
The World Heritage site of East Rennell  has been inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to logging that is affecting the ecosystem of  the Solomon Islands’  World Heritage site. The World Heritage Committee determined that logging is threatening the outstanding universal value of East Rennell, and asked the national authorities to provide an impact ...
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Director-General pays official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia on the occasion of the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
On 16 June, during her official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, met with His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, who underscored the "strong ties which unite the Kingdom of Cambodia and UNESCO". "I will always stand at the side of UNESCO to uphold its values," declared the King, voicing his pride and privilege to host the 37th session of the World ...
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African Culture Ministers call for balancing heritage conservation and social and economic development
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
On 17 June 2013, in the context of the 37th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the Director-General, Irina Bokova, took part in the Round Table of African Ministers, organized by UNESCO and the African World Heritage Fund and attended by over 100 participants. Ministers from Namibia, Tanzania, Chad, Mali, Kenya, Cape Verde, and Cameroun discussed the situation ...
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World Heritage Committee removes the Iranian World Heritage site of Bam and its Cultural Landscape from danger listing
Monday, 17 June 2013
The World Heritage Committee has decided that improvements in the management and conservation of the World Heritage site of Bam and its Cultural Landscape, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, meant the property could be removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger. Bam was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004, shortly after it was struck by a major earthquake. Damage caused by the ...
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African ministers concerned by the region’s World Heritage sites
Monday, 17 June 2013
Must countries choose between economic development and the safeguarding of heritage? This was the subject of the annual Round Table of African Ministers organized by the African World Heritage Fund and UNESCO as part of the 37th World Heritage Committee session taking place in Phnom Penh (16 to 27 June). Speakers at the event, alongside UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and the ...
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Watch the live webcast of the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh
Sunday, 16 June 2013
The 37th session of the World Heritage Committee is now underway in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 16 to 27 June 2013. Media contacts: Roni Amelan +33 (0)1 45 68 17 64 and, during the Committee meeting: +33 (0)6 31 54 30 36Photo: A photo gallery with pictures that can be used for editorial purposes (with mention of copyright) will be available here: www.unesco.org/new/whc-photosVideo: ...
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Important Khmer statues returned to Cambodia during opening of World Heritage meeting in Phnom Penh
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Solemn appeals for the preservation of the heritage of humanity and colourful cultural performances marked the opening of the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh on 16 June.  The opening ceremony was marked by the moving return to Cambodia of two major art treasures of the 10th century by Emily K. Rafferty, President of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art ...
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Jaeger-LeCoultre auction benefits Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves
Friday, 14 June 2013
From 23 to 26 April 2013, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre, partner of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre since 2008, organized its fourth online auction for the benefit of World Heritage marine sites. This year, the Manufacture auctioned a watch inspired by the Memovox Deep Sea of 1959: Prototype N° 1 of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Chronograph ...
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Enter a "competwition" to win a copy of Benefits Beyond Borders (UK only)
Friday, 14 June 2013
Enter a Competition for the chance to win 1 of 5 copies of World Heritage: Benefits Beyond Borders! This book was jointly published by UNESCO and Cambridge University Press on the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention. It is a cross-disciplinary collection of case studies providing a meeting point for researchers, practitioners and community representatives and promoting ...
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Historic Urban Landscape approach explained
Friday, 14 June 2013
This newly published brochure "New life for historic cities: The historic urban landscape approach explained" introduces the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, which was adopted on 10 November 2011 by the 36th session of UNESCO's General Conference, and how to apply the Historic Urban Landscape approach in the local context. UNESCO's approach to managing historic urban ...
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World Heritage Candidates announced for 2013 Business Planning Programme
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Participants to the 5th annual World Heritage Centre / Earthwatch / Shell "Business Planning for natural World Heritage site managers" year long training programme have just been informed of their successful candidacies.    In October 2013, 18 World Heritage site staff from 6 sites in Africa will travel to the Mpala Research Centre  in the shadow of Mount Kenya World ...
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UNESCO expert mission evaluates damage to Mali’s cultural heritage
Sunday, 9 June 2013
“UNESCO saved the temples of Egypt and rebuilt the Mostar Bridge. UNESCO will rebuild the mausoleums of Mali,“ said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova during the ceremony on 5 June to award French President Francois Hollande the UNESCO-Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize. The first steps towards this project were taken this week when a  UNESCO team of experts visited ...
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World Heritage celebrates World Oceans Day!
Friday, 7 June 2013
Over 1,000 new species have been discovered at marine sites since their inscription on the World Heritage List. This data has been compiled in UNESCO’s global marine biodiversity data portal Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). The 1972 World Heritage Convention protects 46 marine sites in recognition of their exceptional natural phenomena, their geological processes, ...
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Report of the 40th Anniversary Year activities: Celebrating 40 years of the World Heritage Convention and looking forward to tomorrow
Friday, 7 June 2013
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre has published a brochure reporting the events and activities carried out in 2012 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention. This colorful, illustrated publication provides a record of the various initiatives that the World Heritage community undertook at the international, national and local levels-- more than 120 events in 48 ...
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World Heritage Committee to inscribe new sites on UNESCO World Heritage List and examine conservation of sites already on the List
Friday, 7 June 2013
The World Heritage Committee will consider the inscription of 32 sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List during its next session, from 16 to 27 June in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Cambodia).  Media wishing to attend the meeting must register online. The Committee’s debates, chaired by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, will also be webcast. A press conference with the ...
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UN On-line Volunteers and World Heritage
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
With almost a thousand sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, the reach of the World Heritage Convention is vast. To better present one important issue and the work that’s being done to make a difference, UNESCO has produced an infographic on rhinoceros conservation. This attractive, easy to follow poster describes the plight of several rhinoceros species in Africa and Asia, and ...
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Protecting Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park from Shipping Threats
Monday, 3 June 2013
The Tubbataha Reef sprawls across 100,000 hectares and supports over 350 species of coral and almost 500 species of fish.  Earlier this year, two vessels grounded in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park – a jewel in the middle of Philippines' Sulu Sea. First a U.S. Navy ship grounded on the reef in January. A couple of months later, a Chinese fishing ...
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Director-General of UNESCO reiterates her appeal for the protection of Syria’s cultural heritage
Sunday, 2 June 2013
In the wake of alarming media reports on damage to several historic and religious sites in various regions of Syria, I wish to express my grave concern for the safety of Syria’s cultural heritage. I call upon the perpetrators to cease the destruction immediately and demonstrate respect for the beliefs and traditions of all Syrians. I also strongly urge all the parties to the conflict ...
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UNESCO and Italy launch new cooperation to restore and conserve cultural heritage in Bamiyan, Afghanistan
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Most people know Bamiyan as the site where giant statutes of the Buddha were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.  But it is the location of other important archaeological sites too, such as Shahr-i-Zohak (Red City), an impressive mass of ruins that was once the fortress protecting the entrance to Bamiyan in the 12th and 13th centuries.  Now this site will be restored and conserved as part of a ...
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hosts World Heritage Fellow
Monday, 27 May 2013
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a World Heritage Fellow, Mr. Anoop K.R., Director of Keoladeo National Park in India and Deputy Conservator of Forests in the Bharatpur District of Rajasthan.  As a recognized World Heritage site, the Park is participating in this fellowship program which allows professionals from other heritage sites a unique opportunity to temporarily ...
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NWHF and WHITRAP sign cooperation agreement for sustainable practice at World Heritage sites
Monday, 27 May 2013
The Nordic World Heritage Fund (NWHF) and the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research in the Asia and the Pacific Region (WHITR-AP), have signed a cooperation agreement as an extension of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2009. Ms Anne-Kristin Endresen, Director of NWHF, and Mr Jian Zhou, Director of WHITR-AP, represented their organizations. NWHF and WHITR-AP are centres that ...
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Statement by the Director-General of UNESCO regarding the mission to the Old City of Jerusalem
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Following certain media announcements reporting on the cancellation of the UNESCO Mission to the Old City of Jerusalem, Director-General Irina Bokova wishes to underscore that contrary to such information, consultations are being pursued by the Government of Israel, and the Palestinian and Jordanian authorities with a view to finalizing the terms of the mission and determining its date.
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Rosewood Poaching Turns Violent; Rapid Response Facility Provides Emergency Support
Friday, 17 May 2013
On the 3rd of May, the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) received a request for emergency support in confronting a surge of rosewood poaching in Dong Phayayen Kao Yai Forest Complex World Heritage site.  The petitioners/advocates explained that poaching was becoming more organized and had for the first time turned deadly.  On March 14th, 33 year-old Thaweesak Chomyong, a park ranger, ...
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Two New Episodes of Patrimonito’s World Heritage Adventures Available Online
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
World Heritage Education Programme is pleased to announce the release  of "Patrimonito’s World Heritage Adventures" cartoon series. The mentioned episodes are dedicated to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention. Episode 10thLebanon (Sustainable Development for the Site of Ouaid Qadisha and the Forest of the Cedars of ...
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UNESCO and International Astronomical Union sign new agreement
Friday, 3 May 2013
On 30 April 2013, UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding at the Organization’s Headquarters. The agreement has been concluded in the framework of the thematic initiative “Astronomy and World Heritage”, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The purpose of the initiative is to reinforce the links between science and ...
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The Director-General of UNESCO Expresses Deep Concern at the Rising Violence in the Central African Republic, at the Heart of the Sangha Trinational Site
Friday, 3 May 2013
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has expressed deep concern over the rise of armed violence, poaching and destruction in the Dzanga-Sanga National Park, in Central African Republic. The site is part of Sangha Trinational, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2012 and located in the north-western Congo Basin, at the meeting point between Cameroon, Congo and the ...
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Collaboration between Two Volcanic World Heritage Sites on Managing Risks to Visitors
Friday, 3 May 2013
Demonstrating an excellent example of cooperation between managers and staff of two of the globe’s most iconic World Heritage volcano sites, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the USA and New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park worked together to assess risk to visitors in what can be inherently dangerous places. At the request of the Conservator, Tongariro Whanganui Taranaki ...
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Extension of the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust 2013- 2016
Monday, 29 April 2013
After three successful programme cycles of 4 years each, during the period from 2001 to 2012, the Dutch Government decided to extend the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust for another 4-year cycle during the period 2013-2016, for a total amount of 1.5 million Euros. The implementation report “From Astronomy to Zanzibar – 10 Years of Dutch Support to World Heritage”, published by the World Heritage ...
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First European Marine World Heritage Sites conference commits to strong regional cooperation
Friday, 26 April 2013
From 15-16 April 2013, 25 experts from 4 European marine World Heritage Sites were brought together in Tönning (Germany) with the aim to strengthen their cooperation.  Participants included managers from High Coast (Sweden), Kvarken Archipelago (Finland), St Kilda (Scotland) as well as from the Wadden Sea (The Netherlands/Germany). Participants engaged in an intensive exchange on ...
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2nd South East Europe World Heritage Youth Forum for peace and sustainable development held
Thursday, 25 April 2013
The 2nd South East European (SEE) World Heritage Youth Forum for peace and sustainable development was held from 6 to 11 April 2013 in Zajecar, eastern Serbia, home of the Gamzigrad – Felix Romuliana / Palace of Galerius World Heritage site. At the opening ceremony on 7 April, the message delivered on behalf of Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, stated: "Our theme today is ...
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UNESCO Director-General deplores continuing destruction of ancient Aleppo, a World Heritage site
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova expressed her deep distress over reports of the continuing destruction which has severely damaged the ancient city of Aleppo, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986. Today, the minaret of one of Syria's most famous mosques was destroyed during clashes in the northern city of Aleppo. The mosque, which is located within the UNESCO World Heritage site, has ...
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11th Expert Working Group releases recommendations for Safeguarding the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan
Friday, 12 April 2013
A group of Afghan and international experts working on the safeguarding of Bamiyan (Afghanistan), as well as representatives of the Afghan and Japanese governments and UNESCO, recently released a list of recommendations for further activities to preserve the Bamiyan site. The 11th Expert Working Group meeting for the safeguarding of the cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the ...
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Special issue of SPANDREL on the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, Journal of School of Planning and Architecture of Bhopal, India
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
7th issue of SPANDREL, Historic Urban Landscape. Biannual publication. 2013 The 7th issue of the SPANDREL journal for the promotion and dissemination of the “Historic Urban Landscape” approach published by the School of Planning and Architecture of Bhopal is now available. Mrs. Savita Raje, Professor and Head of the Department of Architecture as well as the editor of this issue, ...
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UNESCO launches project to develop a flood risk mitigation plan for Ayutthaya World Heritage site
Friday, 22 March 2013
UNESCO is launching a project to develop a flood risk mitigation plan for the World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya. The launch event at UNESCO Bangkok on 22 March 2013 was attended by key players of Thailand’s national flood risk reduction efforts and representatives from the embassies of Germany, Japan, Portugal and the United States that have been actively involved in Ayutthaya’s ...
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World Heritage sites participate in Earth Hour 2013
Friday, 22 March 2013
Once again UNESCO will partner with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for Earth Hour, one of the world's largest and most well-known environmental campaigns in the world. UNESCO has invited World Heritage sites to participate in this initiative by switching off the lights on the night of Earth Hour: Saturday, 23 March 2013, from 8:30 to 9:30pm local time.  The Earth Hour campaign ...
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Agreement signed for reconstruction of Kasubi Tombs, Uganda
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
On 1st March 2013, UNESCO signed the Plan of Operation with the Government of Uganda for the project “Technical and financial assistance for the reconstruction of Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga, architectural masterpiece of the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi, Uganda, World Heritage property in Danger”, generously supported through the Japanese Funds-in-Trust. Inscribed on the World ...
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Syria: The Director-General of UNESCO Appeals to Stop Violence and to Protect the World Heritage City of Aleppo
Friday, 1 March 2013
For more than a year now, I have been expressing on behalf of UNESCO my deep concern about the dramatic humanitarian situation in Syria and the threats to the outstanding cultural heritage of the country, which bear testimony to its history and to its cultural identity. I have called upon all those involved in the conflict to ensure the respect and protection of this heritage. The tragedy ...
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World Heritage field guide for climate change adaptation tested at Kenyan World Heritage sites
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
The field testing of the World Heritage Centre’s field guide for climate change adaptation in natural World Heritage sites was launched last Friday in Nairobi.  Managers from Mount Kenya National Park/National Forest and the Kenya Lakes System in the Great Rift Valley and their civil society partners gathered for a two-day introductory workshop on the field guide. The group will now return ...
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Building capacity for managing natural World Heritage sites in Africa
Monday, 25 February 2013
Managers from 10 World Heritage sites throughout Africa met at the IUCN ESARO regional offices in Nairobi, Kenya to reflect on and learn more about management effectiveness of natural World Heritage sites in Africa. The Africa Nature project, a collaborative effort by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, IUCN and the African World Heritage Fund, with financial support from the Governments of ...
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New UNESCO website on Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha World Heritage site
Friday, 22 February 2013
The UNESCO Kathmandu Office has recently created a website on Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, World Heritage property in Nepal: ‘Lumbini: Past, Present & Future’. Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha, was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1997 because of its Outstanding Universal Value. The values described are that it is the birthplace of ...
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International experts and decision makers gathered at UNESCO adopt Action Plan for Mali’s cultural heritage and manuscripts
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
An Action Plan for the Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage and the Safeguarding of Ancient Manuscripts in Mali was adopted at an international experts’ meeting organized by UNESCO and France at the Organization’s Headquarters on Monday. The Action Plan for Mali has three priorities: rehabilitate cultural heritage damaged during the conflict with the active ...
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UNESCO and the Fondation Franz Weber partner for World Heritage preservation
Friday, 15 February 2013
On 10 January 2013, UNESCO and the Fondation Franz Weber of Switzerland signed a five-year agreement to reinforce support for the Rapid Response Facility, and to develop a new project for the sustainable preservation of the Dja Faunal Reserve in Cameroon. The partnership will reinforce the ability of the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) to respond to serious risks to World Heritage sites. ...
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UNESCO convenes international experts meeting for the safeguarding of Malian cultural heritage
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
The Director-General of UNESCO, together with the Government of France, is organizing an international Day of Solidarity for Mali on 18 February 2013 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. This day-long event will begin with an international meeting of experts, charged with developing an action plan for the rehabilitation of Mali’s cultural heritage and the safeguarding of ancient ...
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Marine World Heritage: The Crown Jewels of the Ocean event calls for support of marine sites
Friday, 8 February 2013
On 7 February, international film stars Clive Owen and Jacques Perrin gave their support to Marine World Heritage: The Crown Jewels of the Ocean, at a special event dedicated to marine site preservation at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. A short film on marine sites, narrated by Mr Perrin, was also shown. The event presented a 10-year strategy to protect the Crown Jewels of the Ocean, ...
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UNESCO has developed cultural heritage maps and a “Heritage Passport” to help protect Mali’s cultural heritage
Monday, 4 February 2013
In response to the conflict taking place in the northern regions of Mali since April 2012, UNESCO, in collaboration with the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Mali and the International Centre for Earthen Architecture (CRAterre), has produced two publications on the cultural heritage of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal. The first is an illustrated map with detailed texts in two formats ...
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Director-General visits Mali with French President François Hollande
Sunday, 3 February 2013
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova made a visit to Mali on Saturday 2 February with French President François Hollande and the interim President of Mali Dioncounda Traoré. The main aim of the visit was to launch the process of reconstruction and safeguarding of the cultural heritage of northern Mali, including the mausoleums of Timbuktu and the city’s fabulous ...
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UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova in Mali to spearhead UNESCO’s commitment to safeguard and rebuild Mali’s extraordinary cultural heritage
Saturday, 2 February 2013
The Director-General is visiting Mali today with French President François Hollande, with the goal to launch the assessment of the state of Mali’s cultural heritage and manuscripts after the recent fighting and tensions and to define a plan of action with the Government of Mali that will guide UNESCO’s support to its reconstruction and safeguarding. Irina Bokova will be ...
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World Wetlands Day 2013
Saturday, 2 February 2013
2 February each year is World Wetlands Day. It marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since 1997, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at ...
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Project Publication on Tourism Management at World Heritage Sites of Portuguese Origin and Influence
Friday, 1 February 2013
In January 2013, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Turismo de Portugal (the Portuguese Tourism Authority) concluded their joint project on capacity-building for tourism management in World Heritage sites of Portuguese origin and influence. The project culminated in a final event at the School of Tourism in Lisbon, Portugal, where were showcased the project’s publication and case ...
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UNESCO determined to help Mali restore and rebuild its cultural heritage
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today announced that UNESCO will do everything possible to safeguard and rebuild Mali’s extraordinary cultural heritage, which she described as “a vital part of the country’s identity and history and fundamental for its future. Its restoration and reconstruction will give the people of Mali the strength and the confidence to rebuild ...
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World Heritage Volunteers 2013 - Patrimonito Voluntary Action - Inspiring change
Monday, 21 January 2013
Are you a youth organization and want to sensitize the young people more about the value of World Heritage sites?  Or are you an NGO and wish to organize a work camp to preserve and promote a World Heritage site, with young international volunteers? Here is a way to do so! The UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme in collaboration with the Coordinating Committee for ...
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The Director-General of UNESCO urges military forces to protect cultural sites in Mali during air raids and ground interventions
Monday, 14 January 2013
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova launched an appeal to all military forces in Mali: "I ask all armed forces to make every effort to protect the cultural heritage of the country, which has already been severely damaged”. Invoking the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of armed conflict and its two Protocols, Irina Bokova sent a ...
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UNESCO holds the first International Colloquium on the Conservation of World Heritage Earthen Architecture
Monday, 7 January 2013
Within framework of the World Heritage Earthen Architecture Programme (WHEAP), an international colloquium on the conservation of earthen architecture was organized at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, in partnership with CRAterre-ENSAG, on 17 and 18 December 2012. This conference, which brought together 240 participants, including experts, professionals and students, was the first international ...
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Best Wishes 2013 from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Friday, 21 December 2012
World Heritage sites cover a quater of all marine protected areas on the planet: 46 jewels of the ocean, beautiful but fragile. Lest's protect them!
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First Expert/Stakeholder Meeting for Management Plan of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
The First Expert/Stakeholder Meeting took place in Pompei (Italy) on 17 November 2012, within the framework of the project “Towards a governance system for coordinating the updating and the implementation of the Management Plan of the Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata”. The meeting was funded by the Italian Government and managed by the UNESCO World ...
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Successful Completion of Climate Change Adaptation Project in the Peruvian Andes
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Negotiated with the support of the World Heritage Centre, this 3 year Swiss government financed project entitled "Local Capacities for climate change adaptation and risk management: Manu National Park in Peru - World Heritage Site" was brought to a successful close earlier this month.   Fully implemented by the UNESCO Lima office, the project was founded on a strategic alliance with ...
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Nairobi Convention calls for cooperation on marine World Heritage in Indian Ocean
Monday, 17 December 2012
During the recent 7th Conference of the Parties for the Nairobi Convention (December 2012, Maputo, Mozambique), dedicated to "Partnering for a Healthy Western Indian Ocean", important discussions on the potential for new Marine World Heritage sites in the region were held. On the basis of these discussions, the Parties to the Nairobi Convention encouraged its Secretariat, the World Heritage ...
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US celebrates the 40th anniversary of UNESCO's World Heritage Convention in Washington, and pays tribute to the Honourable Russell Train
Sunday, 16 December 2012
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, laid out a vision for the World Heritage Convention in the 21st century stunning some 200 people from the cultural preservation community attending the ICOMOS Gala celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Convention in Washington on 12 December. "We have come together to celebrate one of the most positive and visionary ideas that emerged in the ...
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International experts meeting on earthen architecture: its preservation and potential for the future
Friday, 14 December 2012
Forty of the world’s leading experts on earthen architecture—which serves as habitat for up to one third of the world’ population—will exchange experiences about the preservation of this often remarkable and always sustainable heritage in a meeting at UNESCO Headquarters on 17 and 18 December (RoomXI). The International Colloquium on the Conservation of World ...
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UNESCO pays tribute to the memory of Oscar Niemeyer, a great humanist and an engaged architect
Thursday, 6 December 2012
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, paid tribute to the great Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, who died on Wednesday, 5 December, at the age of 104. "Oscar Niemeyer helped define the 20th century and lay the foundations for the 21st -- for all this, he deserves the title of universal artist. As a founder of modern architecture, he gave the cities he loved iconic buildings, ...
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Panasonic World Heritage 2013 Calendar released in paper, online and tablet PC app formats
Thursday, 6 December 2012
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Panasonic Corporation present the new tablet PC edition of the 2013 World Heritage calendar. Featuring stunning photographs of World Heritage sites from around the world, the tablet app joins the paper and online versions of the popular calendar. The tablet PC app calendar also includes fun facts about World Heritage sites in English, Chinese, French, ...
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New World Heritage state of conservation information system accessible to public
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
The World Heritage Centre, with the support from the Flanders Government, has embarked on the development a comprehensive and integrated information system on the state of conservation of World Heritage properties. This information is now public and hosted on the World Heritage Centre’s website. This public tool has a multi-criteria search form in order to extract specific data according to ...
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2012-2013 World Heritage Map Available
Friday, 30 November 2012
The latest version of the World Heritage map, produced by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and National Geographic Maps with the generous support of Cambodia, can now be ordered for a modest fee from the World Heritage Centre website. The featured image on the Map presents Angkor in Cambodia, where the next session of the World Heritage Committee will be held (June 2013). This poster-sized ...
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Representatives from 30 Latin American Countries to prepare World Heritage Action Plan
Monday, 26 November 2012
The final meeting in the Second Cycle of the Periodic Report on the State of World Heritage in Latin America and the Caribbean will take place from 3 to 5 December in Santiago, Chile. The objective of the meeting is to draw up a World Heritage Action Plan (2013-2020) for this region. The activity is in compliance with Decision 36 COM 10C, approved by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th ...
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The Colmar Forum: enhanced collaboration between Council of Europe, EU, UNESCO, UNWTO and OECD
Saturday, 24 November 2012
25 years of Council of Europe cultural routes celebrated in Colmar, France, 21-23 November 2012 The Colmar Forum, organized by the secretariat of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes and the European Institute of Cultural Routes marked 25 years of existence of the Council of Europe’s cultural routes programme. It was attended by around 130 people, representing the 24 ...
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Expert Working Group releases final Recommendation for Safeguarding Herat and Jam
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
The 3rd Expert Working Group Meeting  for the Old City of Herat and the World Heritage property of Jam (Afghanistan), met at the Museo d’ Arte Orientale in Turin, Italy,  from 4 to 6 September 2012, released a set of recommendations for future safeguarding actions for the two sites. The Meeting brought together more than 30 well-known experts and high-ranking officials from the government of ...
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World Heritage Convention turns 40
Friday, 16 November 2012
The World Heritage Convention, adopted by the UNESCO General Conference on 16 November 1972, turns 40 today. The only treaty for heritage preservation that englobes both cultural and natural sites, the Convention has been almost universally ratified, with 190 States Parties. There are currently 962 sites on the World Heritage List, 745 of them cultural, 188 natural and 29 mixed (both cultural ...
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"Passport" booklet highlighting United States’ World Heritage sites published
Friday, 16 November 2012
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, Eastern National and the National Park Service’s Office of International Affairs have produced the new booklet "World Heritage Sites in the United States". The booklet highlights the 21 sites in the United States that have been selected and inscribed on the World Heritage List for their natural or cultural ...
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World Heritage Convention’s 40th anniversary celebration concludes and launches Kyoto Vision
Thursday, 8 November 2012
The Closing Event of the 40thAnniversary of the World Heritage Convention concluded today in Kyoto, Japan, after three days of presentations and lively panel discussions among international World Heritage experts. Held from 6 to 8 November, the occasion was the culmination of a year of celebratory activities around the world, gathering more than 500 international heritage experts from 60 ...
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Final Meeting of the Second Cycle of the Periodic Reporting Exercise for Latin America and the Caribbean
Thursday, 8 November 2012
In the framework of Document WHC-12/36.COM/10C and Decision 36 COM 10C adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session (Saint Petersburg, 2012), the final meeting of the Second Cycle of the Periodic Reporting Exercise for Latin America and the Caribbean will take place in Santiago de Chile, Chile from 3-5 December 2012. As the final meeting for the Region, it will involve the ...
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Preparations are being completed in Chile for the final meeting of the Second Cycle of the Periodic Reporting Exercise for LAC
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Preparations are being completed in Chile, where almost everything is ready, for the final meeting of the Second Cycle of the Periodic Reporting Exercise for Latin America and the Caribbean that will take place in Santiago de Chile from 2 to 5 December 2012. The primary objectives of this meeting will be the development of the 2013-2020 Regional Action Plan and also the preparation of a ...
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Gala performance by the Cuban National Ballet on the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
The Cuban National Cultural Heritage Council (CNPC) and the Cuban National Ballet (BNC) offered last October 30 a gala performance on the 40th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, parallel to the 33rd International Havana Ballet Festival. This major cultural event was attended by BNC director Alicia Alonso, His Excellency Mr. ...
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Reflection and future perspectives mark World Heritage Convention’s 40th anniversary closing event in Kyoto, Japan
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
The opening ceremony of the Closing Event taking place in Kyoto from 6 to 8 November featured a performance by UNESCO Artist for Peace Sarah Brightman, and a traditional drum performance by the Japanese group Hi Ryu (Flying Dragon). The Chairperson of the event, Ambassador Masuo Nishibayashi, and UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova opened the celebration, along with Kazuyuki Hamada, ...
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Closing celebration of World Heritage Convention’s 40th anniversary
Monday, 5 November 2012
A three-day event in Kyoto, Japan, will mark the end of a year-long worldwide celebration of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention from 6 to 8 November. The Convention, which was adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference on 16 November 1972, is the most widely accepted treaty for cultural and natural heritage preservation in the world with 190 States Parties, and 962 ...
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The Africa region celebrates 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, over 300 delegates, including 16 African Ministers of Culture, Tourism, Environment and Home Affairs as well as representatives from the African Union, the African World Heritage Fund and experts in cultural and natural heritage from across the continent and around the world actively participated in a high-level ...
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Vigan, Philippines recognized for best practice in World Heritage site management
Thursday, 25 October 2012
The Historic Town of Vigan (Philippines), inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999, has been recognized as a model of best practices in World Heritage site management, at the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention. The distinction will be officially announced and a certificate presented to the Mayor of Vigan, Ms Eva Marie S. Medina, during the closing event of ...
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International Youth Forum Go4BioDiv at Sundarbans National Park
Friday, 19 October 2012
Thirty-four young messengers (participants) from over 20 different marine World Heritage sites around the world gathered in Hyderabad from 6 to 15 October as part of the International Youth Forum Go4BioDiv. The Forum is the largest youth initiative for both IUCN and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and gives young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 the possibility to ...
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Director-General condemns renewed destruction of mausoleums in Timbuktu
Friday, 19 October 2012
Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO today denounced the renewed destruction of mausoleums in northern Mali, near the World Heritage city of Timbuktu. “This new act of destruction marks an escalation of violence and testifies of the deliberate will to erase symbols of a tolerant and open Islam, deeply enshrined in this region of Sahel. This is an inacceptable attack against the ...
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UNESCO Director-General deplores the increasing threats and possible damage to the Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo, Syria
Thursday, 11 October 2012
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today expressed utmost concern over the escalation of violence in Syria, in particular in the vicinity of several World Heritage sites. The Director-General reiterates her appeal of 30 March 2012 to the parties involved in the conflict to protect all Syrian cultural heritage. The Director-General’s comments follow reports about damage to the Umayyad ...
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UNESCO launches Africa Nature programme
Monday, 8 October 2012
On 1 and 2 October 2012, a workshop took place in Nairobi, Kenya to launch the UNESCO Africa Nature Programme, which was developed following the results of the second cycle of Periodic Reporting in Africa (2010-2011). The Africa Nature programme aims to improve the management effectiveness of the natural World Heritage sites in Africa through targeted capacity building and knowledge sharing. ...
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Rock Islands Southern Lagoon and Tubbataha World Heritage sites win Future Policy Award for marine resource management
Monday, 1 October 2012
This year, two Marine World Heritage sites won the Future Policy Award, which celebrates policies that create better living conditions for current and future generations. Both Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (Palau) and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (Philippines) won a Future Policy Award 2012 in recognition of their marine policies. Palau was given the Gold Award 2012 for its Protected ...
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UNESCO Director-General deplores destruction of ancient Aleppo markets, a World Heritage site
Sunday, 30 September 2012
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today expressed distress and dismay over the fire that severely damaged the ancient markets in the old city of Aleppo, a World Heritage site, over the weekend. She also reminded all parties of the country’s obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, to which Syria is a ...
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The International Protection of Landscapes conference results in Declaration on Landscape
Friday, 21 September 2012
The International Protection of Landscapes meeting was organized by UNESCO and the International Traditional Knowledge Institute and held in Florence, Italy from 19 to 21 September to mark the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention.  The Florence Declaration on Landscape 2012 was produced during the session. Cultural heritage is an evolving historical category subject to ...
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Singapore becomes 190th State Party to the World Heritage Convention
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
On 19 June 2012, the Government of Singapore officially deposited with the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, its instrument of ratification, becoming the 190th State Party to accept the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The World Heritage Convention has entered into force for this State Party on 19 September 2012.
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The Director-General pays tribute to leading US conservationist and one of the founding fathers of the World Heritage Convention
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
It was with great sadness that the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, learned of the passing of Russell E. Train, former President of the World Wildlife Fund, who died on 17 September at the age of 92. Russell E. Train was a renowned US conservationist who played a central role in creating groundbreaking laws in response to rising concerns about environmental protection in America and ...
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10.5 billion tonnes of carbon stored in World Heritage forest sites
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
A study commissioned by the World Heritage Centre reviews the total carbon stored in trees, leaves forest litter and soil for all 106 World Heritage forest sites.  Carried out by Mr. Devendra Pandey, the former Director General of the Indian Forest Survey, the study is the first to look specifically at World Heritage forests sites, combining information from different sources, to obtain ...
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IUCN World Conservation Congress celebrates the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention and calls for maintaining the highest standards for World Heritage
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
On Saturday 15 September, the IUCN World Conservation Congress ended on the Island of Jeju, Republic of Korea, which harbors the “Jeju Volcanos Island and Lava Tubes” World Heritage site. Held every four years, the congress is the world’s largest and most important conservation event and the current edition was attended by 10,000 people, including 5,000 conservation experts ...
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UNESCO and National Geographic partner with Intercontinental Hotels for Responsible Business Week 2012
Monday, 17 September 2012
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Responsible Business Week to run from 17-23 September 2012 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts today embarks on a week-long programme of activities around the world to help protect and preserve unique cultural heritage sites as part of Responsible Business Week 2012. This marks the third year of InterContinental’s Responsible Business Week in ...
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The Director-General visits the Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay
Saturday, 15 September 2012
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova traveled to Colonia del Sacramento today, and visited the old city, which became the first World Heritage site of Uruguay in 1995. She was accompanied by the Minister of Culture and Education, Mr. Ricardo Erlich and by the Permanent Delegate of Uruguay to UNESCO, Ambassador Omar Mesa Gonzalez. During her visit, she met with local officials and discussed ...
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The Jurassic Coast celebrates the Earth in 2012
Saturday, 15 September 2012
The Jurassic Coast Earth Festival 2012 was a celebration of England’s only natural World Heritage Site – the Dorset and EastDevonCoast, commonly known as the JurassicCoast.  The 95 miles of coastline from Exmouth to StudlandBay tells the story of 185 million years of the earth’s history through its geological exposures and landforms, and is inscribed on the list under ...
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IUCN World Conservation Congress begins in Jeju, Republic of Korea
Friday, 7 September 2012
The IUCN World Conservation Congress, the world’s largest and most important conservation event, began 6 September on the Island of Jeju, Republic of Korea. Held every four years, the Congress aims to improve how we manage our natural environment for human, social and economic development. The Island of Jeju harbors one of Korea’s natural World Heritage sites (Jeju Volcanic ...
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Job opening: Cultural Heritage Specialist for Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage in Manama, Bahrain
Thursday, 6 September 2012
The  recently established Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH) in Manama, Bahrain, is currently recruiting a Culture Heritage Specialist. The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of Cultural Heritage Programme for the Arab Region in ARCWH. The Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage was established as a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO to ...
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2013 UNESCO World Heritage Desk Diary published
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Featuring a useful week-at-a-glance design, the Desk Diary is illustrated with colour photos of World Heritage sites, each accompanied with a short caption. It also introduces the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage; its objectives, the selection criteria, the institutions which ensure its implementation, as well as the list of States Parties ...
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The Director-General congratulates the Italian authorities for progress achieved in the conservation of the iconic World Heritage site of the Archaeological Areas of Pompei and Herculaneum
Monday, 3 September 2012
During her visit to Naples on the occasion of the World Urban Forum organized by UN-HABITAT, the Director-General, Irina Bokova, commended the Italian authorities, and in particular the Municipal authorities and Superintendency of Region for the positive emergency conservation achievements at the World Heritage archaeological complex of Pompei, following the collapse of walls in 2010 and ...
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Argentina names World Heritage site to the Ramsar List
Thursday, 23 August 2012
The government of Argentina has designated its 21st Wetland of International Importance, called the Humedales de Península Valdés (42,695 hectares), comprising two coastal sub-sites along the gulfs on either side of the Valdés peninsula in Patagonia, within the much larger Península Valdés World Heritage property that was inscribed in the UNESCO World ...
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Patrimonito Chinese Storyboard Competition 2012 Results
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
In June 2012, the World Heritage Education Center for Youth (Beijing, China) and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC) launched the Patrimonito National Storyboard Competition, China. Of the 103 student submissions, 15 of the storyboards were selected by the Chinese World Heritage Education Center for Youth of Beijing and sent to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The medals ...
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Director-General deeply concerned by wildfires in Southern Europe
Friday, 17 August 2012
UNESCO is monitoring closely the impact of wildfires in Southern Europe and the southernmost portion of the European Union. The Organization has been in constant contact with the local authorities in affected areas. These devastating fires have not only touched World Heritage sites and Biosphere Reserves, but have also irreversibly changed the lives of many. People have been forced to abandon ...
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Launch of ICOMOS-ICORP website
Friday, 17 August 2012
ICOMOS-ICORP recently launched its new website and Facebook page. ICOMOS- ICORP is the International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness of the International Council on Monuments and Sites ICOMOS; an International NGO dedicated towards the protection and management of cultural heritage. The goals of the International Scientific Committee on Risk ...
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Panasonic organizes UNESCO World Heritage Eco Learning event for Hanoi secondary school students
Friday, 10 August 2012
Panasonic Vietnam, in cooperation with UNESCO’s Office in Hanoi, organized the Eco Learning program on UNESCO World Heritage for students of secondary schools in Hanoi, on 9 and 10  August at the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi (Thang Long Imperial Citadel). Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training participated in the ...
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Aleppo must be saved: Call by the Chairman of the World Heritage Committee
Friday, 10 August 2012
"Regardless of political positioning, the public is deeply concerned about the security situation in Aleppo and the safety of its citizens during the civil conflict. Aleppo, the Milennial City of Art and History, Is now in Danger, and its Cultural heritage of outstanding universal value is now under threat. On behalf of the World Heritage Committee, while expressing our solidarity ...
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Director-General Visits the Buddhist Monuments of Bagan
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Close to one thousand years ago, Anawrahta, king of the first Myanmar Empire and a staunch advocate of Theravada Buddhism, embarked on one of the most ambitious religious construction programs in history in his kingdom’s capital city, Bagan. Today, over 3,000 temples and pagodas – the largest concentration in the world - stretch as far as the eye can see across the plains to the ...
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“World Heritage and indigenous peoples” - on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, 9 August 2012
Monday, 6 August 2012
At its tenth session, the UN Permanent Forum on indigenous issues (UNPFII) made several recommendations relating to UNESCO, its World Heritage Committee and the advisory bodies ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN. At the 34th (Brasilia, 2010), 35th (UNESCO, 2011) and 36th (St Petersburg, 2012) sessions of the World Heritage Committee, representatives of the UN Permanent Forum were present as observers ...
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UNESCO and the Smithsonian Institution team up to celebrate the World Heritage Convention
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
The project ‘Protection, Preservation and Prosperity: Stories of World Heritage,’ is being launched today by UNESCO and the Smithsonian Institution to celebrate the World Heritage Convention. Using mobile phone technology to reach the wider public, the project focuses on 10 World Heritage sites which embody, in particular, the role of local communities in World Heritage ...
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The Director-General of UNESCO appeals for the Protection of the World Heritage City of Aleppo
Friday, 27 July 2012
In light of escalated violence in the vicinity of several historic urban areas in Syria, the Director-General reiterates her appeal of 30 March 2012, to all parties involved in the conflict to protect all Syrian cultural heritage. UNESCO is particularly alarmed over reports of heavy fighting in Aleppo, which ancient city is a World Heritage site. Strategically positioned on historic trade ...
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Creation of a Special Fund for the Safeguarding of Mali’s World Heritage sites
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Echoing the call of UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, the World Heritage Committee has established a Special Fund to support Mali’s efforts to safeguard the World Heritage properties affected by the armed conflict in the north of the country, notably the sites of Timbuktu and the Tomb of Askia in Gao. The Fund will support the Government of Mali in assessing damage at the sites, ...
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RRF grant awarded to rebuilt the Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Friday, 20 July 2012
On June 24, a group of armed rebels attacked the headquarters of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, situated in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing seven park staff- and their family members. Others were taken hostage or are unaccounted for. The entire Reserve infrastructure was destroyed and the 15 okapi of the Epulu Breeding and Research Station were all killed. Epulu plays ...
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Tokyo Expert Meeting (Feb 2012) published
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
The record of the "International Expert Meeting on the 40th Anniversary" which was held on 16 February 2012 is now available on the Japan ICOMOS website in English and Japanese. http://www.japan-icomos.org/news.html
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World Heritage Centre signs Memorandum of Understanding with the French Marine Protected Area Agency
Friday, 6 July 2012
The World Heritage Centre and the French Marine Protected Area Agency (AAMP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in support of the conservation of marine World Heritage sites. The World Heritage Centre and  AAMP have cooperated informally over the past years, in particular on efforts for the conservation marine World Heritage in the Indian Ocean and strengthening the World Heritage ...
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End of 36th session of the World Heritage Committee marked by concern for World Heritage sites in Mali
Friday, 6 July 2012
The World Heritage Committee Friday closed its 36th session after almost two weeks of work under the chair of Eleonora Mitrofanova, the Ambassador of Russia to UNESCO. The Committee added 26 new sites to UNESCO’s World Heritage List during the session.  It marked the 40th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The new ...
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Emergency appeal for Okapi Wildlife Reserve (DRC) following murderous raid by poachers
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
UNESCO and the nongovernmental organization Fauna and Flora International are launching an emergency appeal to support the staff and rebuild the headquarters of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in Epulu, a small village in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  On 24 June, poachers armed with AK47 rifles attacked the facility and killed seven people, including two ...
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21st International Radiocarbon Conference held at UNESCO Headquarters
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
The World Heritage Thematic Programme, Human Evolution: Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments (HEADS) https://whc.unesco.org/en/heads/, collaborated with the UNESCO Science Sector in the organization of the 21st International Radiocarbon Conference, held from 9 to 13 July 2012, at UNESCO Headquarters. Nuria Sanz, General Coordinator of the HEADS Programme at the World Heritage ...
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Beech Forests of Europe – Further Sites for the WH list ?
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
After a three-day expert meeting held in Italy and ending on 20 June 2012, participants concluded that there is further potential for European beech forests as World Natural Heritage.   The workshop was held in the context of the existing site “Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and The Ancient Beech Forests of Germany”, and demonstrated how World Heritage was ...
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World Heritage Committee calls for end to destruction of Mali’s heritage and adopts decision for its support
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
The World Heritage Committee on 2 July condemned the destruction of World Heritage sites in Mali and decided on measures to help the country protect its heritage. In its decision, the 21-member Committee responsible for implementing the World Heritage Convention, called on the Director-General of UNESCO to create a special fund to help Mali in the conservation of its cultural heritage. The ...
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Twenty-six new sites inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List this year
Monday, 2 July 2012
The World Heritage Committee on Monday morning inscribed Lena Pillars Nature Park of the Russian Federation, the last site to be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List during this year’s session. Chad, Congo, Palau and Palestine had World Heritage sites inscribed on the List for the first time. Lena Pillars Nature Park is marked by spectacular rock pillars that reach a height of ...
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Four natural and four cultural properties added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List on Sunday
Sunday, 1 July 2012
The World Heritage Committee on Sunday inscribed eight new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, including Chad’s first World Heritage property. Inscriptions will continue tomorrow Monday. The new sites are: Major Mining Sites of Walonia (Belgium): The four sites of the property form a strip that is 170km long by 3 to 15 km, crossing Belgium from east to west. It consists of the ...
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Bahraini pearling site and the Mosque of Isfahan inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Pearling, testimony of an island economy (Bahrain) and the Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan (Iran) were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, Saturday morning. The World Heritage Committee, the independent 21-member responsible for the World Heritage Convention, will continue examining sites nominated for inscriptions during its afternoon session and tomorrow. Pearling, testimony ...
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Sites in Iran, Malaysia, Canada, Slovenia, Spain, Germany, Portugal and France on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Saturday, 30 June 2012
The World Heritage Committee on Saturday afternoon added the following sites to UNESCO’s World Heritage List: Gonbad-e Qābus (Iran), Archaelogical Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (Malaysia), The Landscape of Grand Pré (Canada); Heritage of Mercury (Almadén and Idrija (Slovenia/Spain); Margravial Opera House Bayreuth (Germany); Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its ...
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UNESCO Director-General of UNESCO calls for a halt to destruction of cultural heritage site in Timbuktu
Saturday, 30 June 2012
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova today expressed her distress and dismay over the destruction of three sacred tombs that are part of a World Heritage site in Timbuktu, Mali. Ms Bokova called on the belligerents to cease the destruction immediately. “Reports that the Mausoleums of Sidi Mahmoud,  Sidi Moctar and Alpha Moya have been destroyed is extremely distressing,” the ...
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Mexican tourism project cancelled to protect Gulf of California World Heritage site
Saturday, 30 June 2012
The World Heritage Centre received a letter today from the Government of Mexico’s National Commission for Natural Protected Areas formally advising it that the government had withdrawn all approvals for the development of a very large tourism development application located near Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park (CPNP). CPNP is a component of the large Islands and Protected Areas of ...
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Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route in Bethlehem, Palestine, inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List along with sites from Israel, Palau, Indonesia and Morocco
Friday, 29 June 2012
New sites have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List: Birthplace of Jesus: the Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Palestine); Site of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me’arot/Wadi el-Mughara Caves (Israel), Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (Palau), and The Cultural Landscape of Bali: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita ...
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Xanadu (China), Bassari Country (Senegal) and Grand Bassam (Côte d’Ivoire) added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Friday, 29 June 2012
The Site of Xanadu (China), the Bassari Country: Bassari and Bedik Cultural Landscapes (Senegal) and the Historic Town Grand Bassam, the first capital of Côte d’Ivoire have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. North of the Great Wall, the  Site of Xanadu  encompasses the remains of Kublai Khan’s legendary capital city, designed by the Mongol ...
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UNESCO Director-General preoccupied by fighting in World Heritage sites in eastern DRC
Friday, 29 June 2012
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, expressed her utmost concern with the recent fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which is affecting several World Heritage sites. On Sunday June 24, a group of armed rebels attacked the headquarters of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, killing at least 7 park staff. Others were taken hostage by the rebels or are still unaccounted for. All ...
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Heritage sites in northern Mali placed on List of World Heritage in Danger
Thursday, 28 June 2012
The World Heritage Committee on Thursday accepted the request of the government of Mali to place Timbuktu and the Tomb of Askia on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger. The decision aims to raise cooperation and support for the sites threatened by the armed conflict in the region. The Committee, meeting in St Petersburg until 6 July, also asked Mali’s neighbours to do all in ...
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Better conservation in Pakistan and the Philippines allow Committee to remove two sites from World Heritage List in Danger
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
The World Heritage Committee on Tuesday morning recognized the success of two countries, Pakistan and the Philippines, in improving the conservation of sites that had been inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger: Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore (Pakistan) and the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (Philippines). Successful measures have been taken to remove the threat ...
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