News

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, ...

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 ...

// 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...