Abu dhabi: The World Heritage Committee concluded its 48th session in Busan, Republic of Korea, with the inclusion of 25 new sites to UNESCO's World Heritage List.
According to Emirates News Agency, all inscriptions during the meeting were adopted by consensus, reflecting the cooperative ethos of the 1972 World Heritage Convention. This session was particularly noteworthy as it marked the first inclusion of sites from three African nations - Comoros, So Tom© and Prncipe, and South Sudan - illustrating UNESCO's commitment to fostering a more balanced and representative list.
Additionally, the Committee recognized the challenges faced by certain sites by adding six locations to the List of World Heritage in Danger, highlighting their outstanding value and the urgent need for protective measures. With these new additions, the UNESCO World Heritage List now includes 1,273 sites spanning 173 countries, offering the highest level of international recognition and protection to these locations.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany remarked, "Congratulations to all the countries and communities on the inscription of new UNESCO World Heritage sites. These sites are part of the shared heritage of humanity and embody the spirit of cooperation and consensus at the heart of the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Inscribing a site marks the start of a lasting commitment: to protect it, manage it effectively, and ensure that it benefits its communities."