Together for World Heritage in Africa: Partnerships for Priority Africa

International cooperation plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value. The purpose of this side event is to highlight and commend the remarkable accomplishments and positive outcomes resulting from such cooperation and partnerships, in support of World Heritage in Africa.

The Strategy for World Heritage in Africa, which will be presented on 11 September to the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, describes the vision, objectives and targets in implementing UNESCO Global Priority Africa, Flagship Programme 3. It also highlights the importance of cooperation in protecting and managing African heritage, all while achieving a balanced and well-represented World Heritage List.

During this session, delegates from States Parties, youth representatives, site managers and other World Heritage actors will share experiences of working together in implementing the Convention in Africa. The event will serve as a platform for sharing success stories and testimonies on the transformative impact achieved through strategic partnerships. It aims to demonstrate the extensive network of partnerships established at the international, national and regional levels, with financial support from many partners, to effectively manage African World Heritage across various regional contexts and languages. The participants will be encouraged to embrace change and drive greater cooperation, particularly in the African continent.

Presenters will provide testimonials highlighting the benefits derived from their involvement in different projects, complemented by visual broadcasts and video messages. The event will include a brief question-and-answer session, and conclude with a cocktail hosted by the African World Heritage Fund and UNESCO World Heritage Centre for networking and forging new partnerships for the protection of Africa’s precious World Heritage.

Provisional Program