UNESCO has developed cultural heritage maps and a “Heritage Passport” to help protect Mali’s cultural heritage
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 (A3-doublesided and poster versions). The second publication is a brochure entitled "Passeport pour le patrimoine” (Heritage Passport). Available in French, they provide detailed information on the location and the importance of cultural sites in the northern region of Mali. They were developed to raise awareness among the armed forces, NGOs, the international community and local communities about the importance of safeguarding these heritage sites.
During a World Heritage Centre mission to Bamako in December 2012, UNESCO distributed these new information materials to military and humanitarian organizations in Mali. They are currently being distributed to all countries involved in the military operation underway in Mali since the beginning of 2013.
In addition to raising awareness about Mali’s cultural heritage, these information materials also aim to facilitate the implementation by the Malian authorities of UNESCO Conventions for the protection of cultural heritage, which have been ratified by Mali:
- Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), ratified by Mali on 5 April 1977;
- Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954), ratified by Mali on 18 May 1961, and its 1999 Second Protocol to which it acceded on 15 November 2012;
- The Convention on the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property (1970), ratified by Mali on 6 April 1987;
- The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003), ratified by Mali on 3 June 2005.
For more information, please contact the Africa Unit of the World Heritage Centre: b.diawara@unesco.org
Other news
- UNESCO expert mission evaluates damage to Mali’s cultural heritage Sunday, June 9, 2013
- International experts and decision makers gathered at UNESCO adopt Action Plan for Mali’s cultural heritage and manuscripts Tuesday, February 19, 2013
- UNESCO convenes international experts meeting for the safeguarding of Malian cultural heritage Wednesday, February 13, 2013
- Director-General visits Mali with French President François Hollande Sunday, February 3, 2013
- UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova in Mali to spearhead UNESCO’s commitment to safeguard and rebuild Mali’s extraordinary cultural heritage Saturday, February 2, 2013
- UNESCO determined to help Mali restore and rebuild its cultural heritage Wednesday, January 30, 2013
- The Director-General of UNESCO urges military forces to protect cultural sites in Mali during air raids and ground interventions Monday, January 14, 2013
- Creation of a Special Fund for the Safeguarding of Mali’s World Heritage sites Wednesday, July 25, 2012
- End of 36th session of the World Heritage Committee marked by concern for World Heritage sites in Mali Friday, July 6, 2012
- World Heritage Committee calls for end to destruction of Mali’s heritage and adopts decision for its support Tuesday, July 3, 2012
- Heritage sites in northern Mali placed on List of World Heritage in Danger Thursday, June 28, 2012
- Government of Mali and UNESCO move to protect Timbuktu and other heritage sites in the north of Mali Thursday, May 24, 2012
- Irina Bokova concerned about growing threats to cultural heritage in Mali Friday, May 4, 2012
- UNESCO Director-General expresses concern about the situation in Mali Monday, April 2, 2012
