
UNESCO and Bhutan launch two-year project for South Asian Cultural Landscape Initiatives
Wednesday, 3 August 2016

World Heritage in the High Seas: An Idea Whose Time has Come
Wednesday, 3 August 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 ...
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 ...

In Memoriam: Luc Hoffmann
Tuesday, 26 July 2016

Partners for World Heritage meet in Istanbul during 40th Committee Session
Monday, 25 July 2016

Enjoy the UNESCO Dolomites on Google Maps Street View
Thursday, 21 July 2016

Polish city of Kraków to host 2017 World Heritage Committee session
Sunday, 17 July 2016

Eight new sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Sunday, 17 July 2016

Four new sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Sunday, 17 July 2016

40th World Heritage Committee session resumes for one day on Sunday 17 July
Saturday, 16 July 2016

Five sites inscribed on World Heritage List
Friday, 15 July 2016

Four sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Friday, 15 July 2016

Libya’s five World Heritage sites put on List of World Heritage in Danger
Thursday, 14 July 2016

Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, Uzbekistan, added to List of World Heritage in Danger
Wednesday, 13 July 2016

Historical Monuments of Mtskheta, Georgia, removed from List of World Heritage in Danger
Wednesday, 13 July 2016

Mali’s Old Towns of Djenné on List of World Heritage in Danger
Wednesday, 13 July 2016

World Heritage Committee opens in Istanbul
Sunday, 10 July 2016

Turkish musician Kudsi Ergüner named UNESCO Artist for Peace
Sunday, 10 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 ...
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 ...

Satellite imagery helps monitor cultural heritage sites under threat
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 ...

Winners announced: #OurWorldHeritage Instagram Competition
Monday, 27 June 2016

World Heritage Committee to meet in Istanbul, Turkey, 10 to 20 July
Monday, 27 June 2016

South Sudan ratifies the World Heritage Convention
Thursday, 23 June 2016

State of Conservation of the World Heritage Property “Historic Centre of Vienna”
Tuesday, 21 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 ...

The Government of South Sudan prepares its World Heritage Tentative List
Monday, 13 June 2016

2016 State of conservation reports now available online
Monday, 13 June 2016
UNESCO’s Director-General condemns the Destruction of Nabu Temple
Saturday, 11 June 2016

World Oceans Day: Healthy Oceans – Healthy Planet
Wednesday, 8 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 ...
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 ...

Go Wild for Life!
Sunday, 5 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 ...

Director General opens Berlin expert meeting on the safeguarding of Syria's heritage
Thursday, 2 June 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 ...
“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 ...

World Heritage and Tourism report shows sites at risk from climate change
Thursday, 26 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. ...

State of conservation of Alto Douro Wine Region (Portugal)
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...

Message from the Director of the World Heritage Centre on World Migratory Bird Day
Tuesday, 10 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 ...
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 ...

Monitoring Workshop for Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra, Albania
Friday, 29 April 2016

Increasing youth involvement in the promotion and protection of African World Heritage
Friday, 29 April 2016

Cement giant vows to respect World Heritage in joint effort with IUCN and UNESCO
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 ...

UNESCO experts take preliminary stock of destruction in World Heritage site of Palmyra
Wednesday, 27 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 ...

UNESCO rapid assessment mission to Palmyra
Monday, 25 April 2016

On Buddha’s Trail, from Lumbini to Tilaraukot
Wednesday, 20 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 ...
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 ...

On anniversary of Nepal earthquake, a new partnership for heritage
Sunday, 17 April 2016

UNESCO Executive Board unanimous to protect Palmyra and other Syrian heritage
Saturday, 16 April 2016

UNESCO reiterates call for unity and coordination to protect Syrian Cultural Heritage
Wednesday, 13 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...

UNESCO World Heritage Centre calls for united action to protect vulnerable sites
Wednesday, 6 April 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 ...

UNESCO Director-General welcomes the liberation of Palmyra
Friday, 25 March 2016

Reactive Monitoring Mission to The Sundarbans World Heritage property (Bangladesh)
Monday, 21 March 2016

Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre meets with Moldovan Minister of Culture
Friday, 18 March 2016

New partnership will shed light on impact from fisheries on World Heritage marine sites
Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Director of UNESCO Heritage Division deplores fatal attacks at African World Heritage sites
Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre meets with Secretary General of Europa Nostra
Friday, 11 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, ...
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, ...

Call for submissions: The World's Best Preservation Ideas
Tuesday, 8 March 2016

Women on the frontline, protecting World Heritage
Monday, 7 March 2016

Application Period for Herb Stovel Scholarship Fund Now Open
Monday, 7 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...

Cyclone Winston Hits Fiji and its World Heritage Property
Tuesday, 1 March 2016

UNESCO and ICRC partner on the protection of culture heritage in the event of armed conflict
Monday, 29 February 2016
