2417 news
Monday, 27 June 2016
The World Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the winners of the #OurWorldHeritage photo and story competition. The Instagram campaign aimed to invite people to share their unique World Heritage stories and experiences with the rest of the global community.
Over the course of the competition, more than 1800 posts with the hashtag #OurWorldHeritage were published on social media. Even ...
1 min read
Monday, 27 June 2016
The World Heritage Committee will examine proposals to inscribe 29 sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List during its 40th session (10 to 20 July), which will be chaired by Ambassador Lale Ülker, General Director for Overseas Promotion and Cultural Affairs at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The session will be held at the Istanbul Congress Centre.
The Committee will examine the ...
3 min read
Thursday, 23 June 2016
On 9 March 2016, the Government of the Republic of South Sudan officially deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage with the Director-General of UNESCO.
South Sudan become the 192nd State Party to the World Heritage Convention on 9 June 2016, when the Convention entered into force for this country. To date, ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Over the last several weeks, the World Heritage Centre has received numerous messages from citizens and NGOs expressing their concerns regarding the development of the Vienna Ice Skating Rink, the Hotel Intercontinental and the Konzerthaus site, and other conservation issues within the boundaries of the property.
It should be noted that the competent authorities of the State Party of the ...
1 min read
UNESCO Director-General addresses the Europe Lecture 2016 on heritage protection as a security issue
Tuesday, 14 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 ...
5 min read
Monday, 13 June 2016
At its 40th session to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 10 to 20 July 2016, the World Heritage Committee will examine the state of conservation of a number of World Heritage properties. The full reports on 152 properties are now publicly available through the World Heritage Centre’ State of conservation Information System at the following Web address: https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc
As part ...
1 min read
Monday, 13 June 2016
Following South Sudan’s ratification of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in January 2016, UNESCO organized a technical workshop from 8 to 13 June 2016 in Juba to support the process of preparing South Sudan’s World Heritage Tentative List. Over ten representatives from ministries responsible for natural and cultural heritage, NGOs, and Juba University participated in the workshop, which ...
2 min read
Saturday, 11 June 2016
UNESCO’s Director-General condemns the Destruction of Nabu Temple in Nimrud “The recent destruction of Nabu Temple is a new deliberate attack against the Iraqi people and against the shared values of humanity” said the Director General of UNESCO.
“I condemn in the strongest manner this new crime and reiterate UNESCO’s determination to do whatever is needed to support the national responsible ...
1 min read
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
We are living in a time of unprecedented change. As we celebrate our marine treasures this World Oceans Day, we at UNESCO are also reflecting on the work needed to sustain them as sea levels rise, and the water grows warmer and more acidic. This year, the effects of climate change have been multiplied by a strong El Niño that has brought record-breaking temperatures to much of the Pacific ...
2 min read
Monday, 6 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 ...
2 min read
Monday, 6 June 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Sunday, 5 June 2016
Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the World Environment Day, 5 June 2016
Go Wild for Life!
Wildlife is an integral part of our biosphere. It is not only essential for healthy ecosystems but also key to peace and sustainable development. Many communities depend on wildlife trade, and tourism related to wildlife, for their livelihoods. An estimated ...
2 min read
Saturday, 4 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 ...
4 min read
Thursday, 2 June 2016
UNESCO Director-General opened the Expert meeting on the safeguarding of syria's heritage, with Maria Böhmer, Minister of State to the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany.
"Berlin embodies the power of culture to bring people together”, said Irina Bokova.
More than 230 Syrian and international experts from all sides are joining forces to develop a common damage assessment ...
2 min read
Tuesday, 31 May 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 ...
2 min read
Friday, 27 May 2016
“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 ...
2 min read
Thursday, 26 May 2016
Climate change is fast becoming one of the most significant risks for World Heritage sites, according to the report “World Heritage and Tourism in a Changing Climate” released today by UNESCO, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
“Globally, we need to better understand, monitor and address climate change threats to World Heritage sites,” ...
2 min read
Friday, 20 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. ...
2 min read
Tuesday, 17 May 2016
Over the last several months, the World Heritage Centre has received numerous messages, through the NGO Platform Save the Tua, from individuals expressing their concern regarding the Foz Tua dam project, located inside the buffer zone, but outside the World Heritage property “Alto Douro Wine Region” limit. Those messages drew attention to the adverse impact it may have on the landscape, ...
1 min read
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 ...
2 min read
Friday, 13 May 2016
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 ...
1 min read
Thursday, 12 May 2016
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 ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 10 May 2016
With the slogan “ … and when the skies fall silent?", the World Migratory Bird Day 2016 on 10 May aims to highlight the incredible numbers of migratory birds being threatened and lost each year . This is often linked to illicit activities are various and the toll that they are taking is disastrous – millions of birds are being killed each year. Such numbers are totally unsustainable and ...
2 min read
Monday, 9 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 ...
Thursday, 5 May 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Friday, 29 April 2016
The first Anglophone African Heritage Regional Youth Forum opened today on Robben Island World Heritage site in South Africa. The forum will take place from 29 April until 4 May. This first-of-its-kind forum is co-organized by the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), the Robben Island Museum (RIM) and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre with support from the Government of South Africa and the ...
2 min read
Friday, 29 April 2016
Building materials company CEMEX has committed to staying out of World Heritage sites and to building awareness of the need to protect them, following a collaboration with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The commitment, confirmed in the firm’s 2015 Sustainable Development Report issued this week, is in line with the globally accepted ...
2 min read
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 ...
1 min read
Friday, 29 April 2016
Thanks to a contribution of 4,992 USD from the International Assistance World Heritage Fund, the State Party of Albania organized a training workshop for the development of monitoring indicators for the World Heritage property "Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra”. The workshop took place in Berat, Gjirokastra and Tirana between 27 and 29 April 2016.
In 2009, the World Heritage ...
2 min read
Wednesday, 27 April 2016
On their return from a technical rapid assessment mission to the Palmyra yesterday, UNESCO’s experts presented their preliminary findings regarding damages to the Syrian Arab Republic World Heritage site.
Headed by the Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, the mission, from 24 to 26 April inspected both Palmyra’s museum and archaeological site. The mission was escorted by United ...
3 min read
Tuesday, 26 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 ...
2 min read
Monday, 25 April 2016
UNESCO has sent a Rapid Assessment Mission to the world Heritage site of Palmyra (Arab Syrian Republic), led by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, from 24 to 26 April 2016.
The objective of the mission is to assess the overall state of conservation of Palmyra and identify the emergency safeguarding measures, including drafting a damage assessment of the site and the museum. The ...
2 min read
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
From Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova commended international efforts to combine safeguarding with the balanced development of a spiritual site that represents a universal message of peace, on 19 April 2016.
Preceded by Buddhist chanting, Ms Bokova welcomed members of the International Scientific Committee for the Conservation and Management of ...
4 min read
Monday, 18 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 ...
1 min read
Monday, 18 April 2016
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 ...
1 min read
Sunday, 17 April 2016
Saying that culture bears the soul of the Nepalese people, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova launched a new project for the rehabilitation of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site with the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr Ananda Prasad Pokharel, upon her arrival in Kathmandu today.
The three-year project is the result of a partnership agreement with Hainan Province ...
2 min read
Saturday, 16 April 2016
The 199th session of UNESCO Executive Board unanimously adopted a decision regarding UNESCO’s role in “safeguarding and preservation Palmyra and other Syrian world heritage sites”, decision supported by the Russian Federation, South Africa, Germany, Belarus, Brazil, China, the United States, France, Greece, India, Italy, Lebanon, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Palau, Great Britain and Northern ...
2 min read
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
In the context of the ongoing destruction and rapidly evolving situation of World Heritage sites in the Syrian Arab Republic, UNESCO held several information meetings in April to assess the situation and discuss the way forward.
During an information meeting for all Member States held on 4 April at UNESCO Headquarters, Director-General Irina Bokova recalled the need for a global approach and ...
2 min read
Tuesday, 12 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 ...
2 min read
Monday, 11 April 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Thursday, 7 April 2016
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 ...
1 min read
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Mechtild Rössler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, acknowledges the great efforts of those engaged for World Heritage protection, and calls for civil society as a whole to increase its commitment to protecting World Heritage sites. World Heritage is humankind’s common heritage, and the responsibility for its conservation is shared by everyone.
The World Heritage Centre values ...
2 min read
Sunday, 27 March 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 ...
1 min read
Friday, 25 March 2016
"I welcome the liberation of the Palmyra archeological site, martyr city inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which carries the memory of the Syrian people, and the values of cultural diversity, tolerance and openness that have made this region a cradle of civilization," said the Director General of UNESCO.
"For one year, Palmyra has been a symbol of the cultural cleansing ...
1 min read
Monday, 21 March 2016
As requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015 (Bonn, Germany), a joint Reactive Monitoring Mission involving the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will take place from 22 to 28 March 2016 to assess the overall state of conservation of the property.
The mission will focus on issues that could seriously ...
1 min read
Friday, 18 March 2016
The Minister of Culture from the Republic of Moldova, Ms Monica Babuc, visited the World Heritage Centre on 17 March 2016 to discuss with the Director, Ms Mechtild Rössler, and her colleagues collaboration on identifying, protecting and transmitting heritage from her country. The topic of economic benefits from sustainable tourism development for local communities was also covered.
Currently ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Today, more than 30% of World Heritage marine sites struggle with unsustainable fisheries. Addressing this challenge has been a core focus of the World Heritage Marine Programme for years, supporting sites around the world in developing capacity like technology-assisted surveillance, and community education and monitoring programs. However, until now, a comprehensive analysis of the impacts ...
2 min read
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
On 12 and 13 March, four checkpoints in the central sector of the Virunga National Park World Heritage site located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC), were attacked by rebel groups during a series of violent clashes. The RDC Armed Forces came to the rescue of the guards of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) to restore security to the area. Two ICCN guards were ...
1 min read
Friday, 11 March 2016
On 8 March the Director of the World Heritage Centre, Mechtild Rossler, met with Sneška Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra to discuss cooperation between the two organizations. Emphasis was placed on heritage sites under threat and the complementary role of NGOs and civil society in safeguarding World Heritage worldwide.
Europe Nostra is a citizens’ movement for the safeguarding ...
Thursday, 10 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, ...
2 min read
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
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, ...
2 min read
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Monday, 7 March 2016
//
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 ...
2 min read
Monday, 7 March 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Thursday, 3 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 ...
1 min read
Thursday, 3 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 ...
1 min read
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
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 ...
3 min read
Tuesday, 1 March 2016
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 ...
1 min read
Monday, 29 February 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Monday, 29 February 2016
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 ...
1 min read
Friday, 26 February 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
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, ...
3 min read
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Monday, 22 February 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Friday, 19 February 2016
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 ...
1 min read
UNESCO to dispatch mission to Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore World Heritage property (Pakistan)
Friday, 19 February 2016
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 ...
1 min read
Friday, 19 February 2016
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 ...
1 min read
Friday, 19 February 2016
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 ...
2 min read
Friday, 19 February 2016
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 ...
1 min read
Friday, 19 February 2016
“I am sincerely distressed by the recent attacks against cultural heritage in Yemen. These attacks increase the human suffering and deprive the people of Yemen of their culture, which is an essential element of their identity, a source of fulfillent and a major asset for the future recovery and development of the country” declared the Director General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova.
According ...
1 min read
Thursday, 18 February 2016
World Heritage attracts and fascinates: media around the world publish thousands of articles about it every year and countries invest a great deal of work and money to get sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Yet not enough is known about the conservation and management efforts that go into protecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the 1000+ sites that are currently on the ...
1 min read
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Geneva, 18 February 2016 - Official Representatives of the Parties to seven global biodiversity-related conventions[1] met at the United Nations Office in Geneva from 8 to 11 February 2016 to explore ways to strengthen synergies and improve efficiency among the conventions with a view to enhancing their implementation at all levels. Assisted in their work by the heads and staff of the ...
4 min read
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
As part of the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee and in the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO and the Istanbul Site Management Directorate are organizing the World Heritage Youth Forum 2016: “At the Crossroads of Multi-Layered Heritage” from 29 June to 12 July 2016.
Young representatives, aged from 22 to 28, from ...
2 min read
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Paris, 16 February, 2016 - UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, expressed her deep sadness at the passing today of Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, the first Secretary-General of La Francophonie.
“Boutros Boutros-Ghali devoted his life to promoting the ideals of a more just, peaceful and equitable world, the importance of democratizing ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
The draft Baseline Assessment report prepared under the coordination of ICOMOS and IUCN ECARO has been published for comments as part of the project ““Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid region” funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Environment of Albania.
The Baseline Assessment report provides crucial ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Procurement notice: consultancy contract to lead the drafting of a Local Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management in Pogradec Municipality, Lake Ohrid region, Albania
As a partner in the implementation of the project “Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid region”, the IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Paris, 15 February—UNESCO’s Director-General, Irina Bokova, and the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Paolo Gentiloni, will sign an agreement on the establishment of a Task Force of cultural heritage experts in the framework of UNESCO’s global coalition Unite for Heritage on 16 February in Rome.
Under the agreement, UNESCO will be able to ask the Italian Government to make experts of the ...
2 min read
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
The international dialogue on "Understanding rights practices in the World Heritage system: lessons from the Asia-Pacific and the global area" took place in Caux, Switzerland from 18 to 19 January 2016.
The meeting was organized by the University of Lucerne in cooperation with ICOMOS and IUCN, with support from the Swiss Network for International Studies, ICOMOS Norway and the Swiss National ...
1 min read
Friday, 12 February 2016
The “Workshop on synergies among the biodiversity-related conventions” organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and was held from 8 to 11 February 2016 at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland.
All 7 secretaries of the Biodiversity-related Conventions (Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild ...
1 min read
Monday, 8 February 2016
The Association of World Heritage Properties in France (ABFPM) is launching a call for candidates for the second national training session “Interpretation – World Heritage” which will be held from 7 to 9 March 2016 at the Arc-et-Senans Royal Saltworks (France).
This intensive and operational training is aimed towards personnel in charged with welcoming the public to World Heritage properties ...
1 min read
Friday, 5 February 2016
The Director General and the Director of the World Heritage Centre met on 5 February 2016 with a Delegation from Slovak Republic including Mr František Palko, State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Construction, and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic and Ms. Ivana Magátová, Director General of the Tourism Section of the Ministry of Transport, Construction, and Regional ...
1 min read
Friday, 5 February 2016
The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova designated the famous Slovenian sculptor Mr Marko Pogačnik as a UNESCO Artist for Peace on 5 February 2016.
This title was bestowed upon Mr Pogačnik in recognition of his commitment to improving relationships between people and their environments, based on the concept of protection, education and sustainable development, to increase people’s ...
Thursday, 4 February 2016
Timbuktu (Mali), February 4 - A consecration ceremony of the Timbuktu mausoleums, last held in the 11th century, was held today at the initiative of the local community. This is the final phase of the cultural rebirth of the Timbuktu mausoleums after their destruction by the armed groups who occupied the city in 2012.
The ceremony, held at the Mosque of Djingareyber, began in the early ...
3 min read
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February, marking the date in 1971 when the Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention, was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar, drawing attention to the importance of wetlands. The theme for 2016, “Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods” brings the focus on the vital role of wetlands for the future of humanity and their ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 26 January 2016
The World Heritage Resource Manual Series are intended to provide knowledge and assistance to State Parties in ensuring a representative and credible World Heritage List consisting of well-protected and effectively managed properties.
Published for the first time in English and French language between 2010 and 2013, the Manual Series were a joint undertaking by the three Advisory Bodies of ...
1 min read
Monday, 25 January 2016
On 19 January 2016, the Governor of the Region of Saint-Louis in Senegal signed a decree forbidding all demolition projects of older buildings on the island of Saint-Louis, inscribed on the World Heritage List since 2000. This welcome decision bears witness to the years of effort and hard work put in by managers of heritage sites in Senegal, supported by the World Heritage Centre and the ...
1 min read
Thursday, 21 January 2016
Welcoming a growing alliance around the protection of cultural heritage under attack, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova appealed for reinforced advocacy, strengthened legislation and measures to fight impunity for war crimes and destruction of heritage, during an event held during the World Economic Forum in Davos on 21 January 2016.
Welcoming a growing alliance around the protection of ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Dear friends and supporters of World Heritage,
I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year on behalf of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
2015 was a year with many challenges: World Heritage sites were threatened by natural disasters, terrorist attacks and ill-advised infrastructure projects. Many sites around the world are under serious threat, and protecting our heritage is as ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
For the one-year anniversary of the IUCN World Parks Congress, UNESCO has published the proceedings of this Congress to highlight the recommendations of the global conservation community on World Heritage for the next decade.
The Promise of Sydney for World Heritage sites agreed at the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 is to secure the highest level of international protection for our most ...
1 min read
Friday, 15 January 2016
Earthwatch is offering its annual opportunity for funded training and mentoring in organisational and business management practices to protected areas in Africa. The application period is now open until 26 February 2016.
Earthwatch and its Earth Skills Network are looking to recruit 6 protected areas, who will each nominate 3 members of staff for a training programme. The training includes a ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre has learnt with deep sadness of the recent passing of Mayor Jean-Paul L’Allier, founder and dedicated supporter of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. In 1991, as Mayor of Quebec City, Mr L’Allier brought together the Mayors of 41 World Heritage Cities from around the globe to lay the foundations for the creation of the Organization of World Heritage ...
1 min read
Thursday, 7 January 2016
The 1st World Heritage Youth Forum (WHYF) in Asia, held from 25 November to 3 December 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, successfully concluded with serious and realistic suggestions by young people to promote participation in World Heritage preservation among their peers in the Asia-Pacific region.
The WHYF in Asia, organized by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Cambodian National Commission ...
2 min read
Thursday, 24 December 2015
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has condemned the destruction of parts of the Ancient City of Bosra during combats in the World Heritage site on 22 December 2015, as confirmed by the Syrian Directorate of Antiquities and Museums.
There is fear of further deterioration to the site due to severe damage to the western courtyard adjacent to Bosra’s 2nd century Roman theatre and to ...
1 min read
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
Following the Fourth meeting of the Coordinating Committee on the World Heritage Serial Nomination of the Silk Roads in Almaty, Kazakhstan, 24-25 November 2015, more than 50 representatives and experts from twelve countries together with UNESCO representatives, international experts and representatives of IICC Xi’an (China), Secretariat of Silk Roads Coordination Committee, today released a ...
2 min read
Monday, 21 December 2015
The work at the World Heritage Marine Programme would not be possible without the help of its partners and donors. This month, the Marine Programme welcomes a new partnership with the French Agency for Marine Protected Areas. France’s support will scale up our peer-to-peer learning platforms for managers and grow our on-the-ground capacity for marine conservation around the world.
World ...
2 min read
Monday, 21 December 2015
The World Heritage Centre organized an international meeting on natural heritage protection and management in the Arab States on 21 December at the UNESCO Headquarters.
The meeting entitled “The Management of Natural Heritage in Support of Sustainable Development: An Institutional Challenge in the Arab States” was co-chaired by Mechtild Rössler, Director of the Heritage Division and World ...
2 min read
Monday, 21 December 2015
A new strategy has been devised to reduce grazing pressure on the Simien Mountains National Park (Ethiopia) (SMNP) World Heritage site and its surroundings through measures that harmonize grazing and conservation needs.
SMNP in northern Ethiopia is a spectacular landscape, where massive erosion over millions of years has created jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices ...
2 min read
Saturday, 19 December 2015
In the framework of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), Mechtild Rössler, Director of the World Heritage Centre, highlights the importance of understanding climate change and its impact on UNESCO World Heritage sites.
“Climate change concerns all of us. It concerns World Heritage sites, especially islands in the Pacific ...
1 min read
Friday, 18 December 2015
Virunga National Park, a World Heritage site in Democratic Republic of the Congo, has launched a #FestiveVirunga appeal to raise funds for the park’s incredible rangers.
And now there is a matching challenge - for just 1 week, for every dollar you give to the park, a private donor will be giving 2 more!
In true #TeamVirunga spirit, we would be so grateful if you would consider sharing this ...
1 min read
Friday, 18 December 2015
On 12 December 2015, the participants of the International Conference on “Culture for Sustainable Cities” (10-12 December 2015, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China) adopted the “Hangzhou Outcomes”, culminating in nine key recommendations to build on the power of culture for sustainable urban development.
The International Conference on “Culture for Sustainable Cities” in Hangzhou, People’s ...
4 min read
Friday, 18 December 2015
The European Commission continues its support of the Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initative (CAWHFI) by allocating 5 million Euro over the course of three years.
The CAWHFI project is part of the World Heritage Programmes: “Natural World Heritage in the Congo Basin” and implemented by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, since 2004. This programme is initiated in the form of a ...
2 min read
Friday, 18 December 2015
UNESCO in partnership with Think City, a community-based urban rejuvenation organization in Penang, held a conference entitled “UNESCO Regional Conference on Harmonizing Actions to Reduce Risks for Cultural Heritage in Asia and the Pacific” from 7 - 9 December 2015 at Hotel Jen in Penang, Malaysia.
The conference provided a platform from which to raise awareness across several disaster, ...
3 min read
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
On 15 December, the Representatives of Italy, Jordan, UNESCO, INTERPOL, UNODC officially opened an exhibition on the protection of cultural heritage that will be displayed at the United Nations Headquarters from 14 to 24 December.
The exhibition is co-organized by Italy, Jordan, UNESCO, INTERPOL and UNODC with the aim to highlight the new partnership to act together against destruction and ...
2 min read
Friday, 11 December 2015
On 7 December 2015, during the COP 21, the Malagasy Minister of the Environment, Ecology, the Sea and the Forests, Ralava Beboarimisa, met with Edmond Moukala, Chief of the Africa Unit of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, to discuss progress made in implementing recommendations from the World Heritage Committee regarding the conservation of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana.
The Minister ...
1 min read
Friday, 11 December 2015
UNESCO is pleased to announce the Call for Participants for the Regional Youth Forum for the World Heritage in Africa, which will take place 28 April to 4 May 2016 on Robben Island World Heritage property in South Africa. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2016.
Part of the World Heritage Education Programme, this African Youth Forum seeks to provide a sustainable platform to ...
1 min read
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
On 15 December, UNESCO in Brazil, the Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) and the Municipal Government of Congonhas will inaugurate one of the most important projects for preserving the country's memory: the Museum of Congonhas.
The institution comes with the objective of enhancing perception and interpretation of the multiple dimensions of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de ...
7 min read
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
The Qatar Development Fund (QDF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) signed today their first Memorandum of Understanding to support the implementation of UNESCO’s programme for the protection of cultural and natural heritage in emergency situations.
The MOU provides a $2 million grant as part of a 2014 pledge by H.E. the Prime Minister of the ...
1 min read
Monday, 7 December 2015
At COP21 on 5 December 2015, the President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, met with Mechtild Rössler, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
The President made a presentation at the event "UNESCO sites: a climate change observatory ", where he spoke of his strong commitment to World Heritage conservation. He described progress made with fishery regulations at the Phoenix Islands World ...
Monday, 7 December 2015
Armed conflict and natural disasters pose a dire threat to cultural heritage throughout the Asia-Pacific region. News stories are becoming all too frequent of priceless cultural treasures being damaged or lost forever and there are currently few measures in place to mitigate the effects of and recover from these dangers – even UNESCO World Heritage sites too often lack these ...
3 min read
Saturday, 5 December 2015
On 5 December 2015, Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre Mechtild Rössler met with Mr Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to discuss synergies among biodiversity-related Conventions, and joint work on reporting mechanisms. Both agreed to envisage to report to their statutory bodies and to prepare for joint events at the World ...
