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In response to recent reports that Tanzania granted a contract for the construction of a dam within the Selous Game Reserve World Heritage property to two Egyptian companies, the Director of the World Heritage Centre reminded the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania of its obligations as signatory to the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Upon the inscription of ...

“Our hearts are broken”Audrey Azoulay “We are filled with emotion and our hearts are broken,” said UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay as she witnessed the devastating fire tear through the historic cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris this evening. The cathedral is part of the 1991 World Heritage inscription, Paris, Banks of the Seine, which also includes bridges, quays ...

On 3 and 4 June, the UNESCO-Africa-China Forum on World Heritage Capacity Building and Cooperation will seek to strengthen collaboration between Africa and China in the preservation of World Heritage. It will also provide an opportunity to take stock of the sustainable development challenges facing World Heritage sites in both China and Africa and foster the sharing of ...

This  23  August,  we  honour  the  memory  of  the  men  and  women  who,  in  Saint-Domingue  in  1791,  revolted  and  paved  the  way  for  the  end  of  slavery  and  dehumanization. We honour their memory and that of all the other victims of slavery, for whom they stand.The fight against trafficking and slavery is universal and ongoing. It is the reason for which ...

In response to the results of the independent technical review of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) commissioned by IUCN, the World Heritage Centre expresses grave concern over the state of conservation of Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve World Heritage site and the impacts of the Rufiji Hydropower on the property. The review concludes that the strategic ...

Resilience and Re-mobilization towards World Heritage. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the Call for Projects for the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Campaign 2022 ‘Resilience and Re-mobilization towards World Heritage’. In the wake of the pandemic which has highlighted the importance of carrying out community development hand-in-hand with World ...

Message from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of African World Heritage Day 5 May 2022. Fifty years ago, the States Members of UNESCO met to adopt the World Heritage Convention, which to this day remains the cornerstone of international cultural cooperation. In 1978, this essential instrument finally became operational when the first 12 sites ...

On 17 March 2023, schoolchildren aged 8-10 from the Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve UNESCO World Heritage site took part in UNESCO's Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling campaign, as part of a global effort to better understand how climate change affects marine biodiversity. Under the spring sun and in the company of dolphins, thirteen ...

The 5th edition of the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum (WHSMF23) will be organised in conjunction with the extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, with the theme selected for the Forum “Managing World Heritage for the Next 50 Years.” It is hosted by the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Committee and the ...

Over 40 students collected environmental DNA (eDNA) samples in the Socotra Archipelago World Heritage site, as part of the global eDNA expeditions UNESCO is currently piloting across 25 marine World Heritage sites to better understand ocean biodiversity and the effects of climate change. From 28 June to 3 July 2023, 44 students aged 11 to 16 years from four schools ...

In May 2023, Traditional Owners collected environmental DNA (eDNA) samples in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage site (Australia), as part of the global eDNA expeditions UNESCO is currently piloting across 25 marine World Heritage sites to better understand ocean biodiversity and the effects of climate change. Water samples were collected from 5 locations across Ningaloo ...

After sixteen years of grassroots youth activities and international cooperation, the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Initiative continue to involve young people, communities and site managers in building together new, inclusive societies where World Heritage is a source of resilience, humanity and innovation, beyond the challenges that faces the World. This year, the WHV ...

The mentees currently benefitting from the UNESCO Mentorship Programme for African Heritage professionals participated in a field mission as part of a workshop co-organized on 12 and 13 February 2024 by the UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar and ICCROM. This workshop aimed to support the regional and national focal points of West Africa with their Periodic Reporting, in ...

Russian Federation, Lack of joint management system  Lack of monitoring ,The State Party did not submit a state of conservation report as requested by the World Heritage Committee. In a letter dated 9 April 2012, the President of the Russian World Heritage Committee within the National Commission for UNESCO explained that the delay of the report and the implementation of ...

Italy,a) Construction project of a highway extension in the vicinty of Villa Saraceno; b) Uncontrolled development and urban encroachment in the Veneto region;,Dated 29 January 2010, a report on the state of conservation of the property was submitted by the State Party. The report gives detailed information on counter measures for protecting the Outstanding Universal Value ...

Panama,a) Severe deterioration of historic buildings that threatens the outstanding universal value of the property; b) Conflicting interests of different stakeholders in regard to the use, management and conservation of the historic centre; c) Limited capacity for the rehabilitation and maintenance of historic structures; d) Deficiencies in the implementation of the ...

Austria,Urban development pressures.,The 2005 UNESCO/ICOMOS monitoring mission had identified several problematic large-scale building projects in the core zone and the buffer zone. One of these was the construction project by Zaha Hadid at Kommod-Haus location, which had not been significantly altered by the investor despite requests from city authorities. While the city ...

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,a) Urban pressure; b) New construction in the area surrounding the site.,In response to concern about proposals for the construction of a ‘Fourth Grace’ building on the Pier Head waterfront, the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session had recommended that the national authorities pay particular ...

India,,At the time of the examination of the Nomination File for the inscription of Champaner on the World Heritage List, in 2004, ICOMOS had recommended that the nomination be deferred to allow the State Party to provide a proper Management Plan and comprehensive planning which would integrate management of the 39 individual components of the property managed by the ...

Peru,Lack of an approved Master Plan; Lack of maintenance of historic buildings, as well as the effect of heavy traffic on historic buildings and the use of reinforced concrete in the centre of town.,The World Heritage Centre received a State of Conservation report from the State Party on 31 January 2005, indicating that a prohibition for the use of reinforced concrete and ...