UNESCO World Heritage: 25 new sites inscribed

The World Heritage Committee wrapped up its 48th session in Busan, Republic of Korea, with the addition of 25 new sites to UNESCO's World Heritage List. All inscriptions during the session were adopted by consensus, reflecting the cooperative spirit that underpins the 1972 World Heritage Convention. This session also marks the first-ever inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage List for three African countries - Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe and South Sudan - showcasing the Organization's commitment to a more balanced and representative List. The Committee also added six sites to the List of World Heritage in Danger, recognizing both the sites' outstanding value and the need to protect them.

"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. As a force for cohesion and sustainable development, I am convinced that the World Heritage List must reflect the full diversity of our world – this is why the World Heritage Committee has adopted its landmark World Heritage Strategy for Small Island Developing States 2026–2034 and why, after Busan, UNESCO will further strengthen its support to the 23 State Parties still without an inscribed site." Khaled El-Enany UNESCO Director-General

With these new inscriptions, the UNESCO World Heritage List now comprises 1,273 sites across 173 countries. These newly inscribed properties now benefit from the highest level of international recognition and protection.

A stronger recognition of underrepresented regions

Building on dialogue and consensus, the Committee inscribed 25 new properties on UNESCO's World Heritage List (19 cultural sites, five natural ones and one mixed); and approved the extension of two already inscribed sites – including one in the host country, the Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats (Phase II). The Committee also agreed on the renomination, of the Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, meaning the value of the site already inscribed revealed new criteria and the Committee proceeded to re-examine it.

This session also marks the first World Heritage inscriptions for three African countries, including two Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Comoros and São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as South Sudan. The President of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, attended the session to celebrate his country's first inscription on the World Heritage List, underscoring the historic significance of this milestone. Following these inscriptions, the number of States Parties without a World Heritage property decreased from 26 to 23.

With 196 States Parties, the World Heritage Convention is one of the most universally ratified in the world – proof of its influence and popularity across every corner of the globe. The session was marked by an exceptional spirit of dialogue, enabling the Committee to adopt all inscription decisions by consensus and fostering a renewed culture of consensus across its work, including on State of Conservation reports.

International community mobilized to protect World Heritage in danger

Three of these newly inscribed sites were submitted on an emergency basis: Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape (South Sudan), Mount Amel Castles (Lebanon) and Sebastia (State of Palestine). The use of this mechanism for three sites in a single session underscores the growing number of heritage properties under threat in regions affected by conflict and instability, and reflects the Committee's determination to extend international protection and recognition before it is too late.

Sites inscribed on an emergency basis were inscribed at the same time on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in addition to three other properties – Historic Inner City of Paramaribo (Suriname), An Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora (Ukraine) and Tyre (Lebanon). They will now have access to technical and financial assistance to protect the site and will benefit from stronger support for conservation efforts from the international community.

The World Heritage Committee also decided to remove Historic Centre of Vienna (Austria) from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Landmark strategy for SIDS and Africa

This Committee session also marks a historic milestone for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with the adoption in Busan of the World Heritage Strategy for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) 2026-2034, backed by a budget of US$13 million. The Strategy aims to strengthen the capacity of SIDS to identify, protect and manage World Heritage sites, while addressing the specific challenges these States face – particularly the impacts of climate change.

Complementing the World Heritage Strategy for Africa, this new Strategy will help provide tailored support to all SIDS while making heritage a driver of sustainable development, climate resilience and inclusion, placing local communities at the heart of its protection, management and transmission. This achievement reflects the sustained efforts undertaken by UNESCO and its partners to make the World Heritage List more representative and to ensure that it better reflects the world's rich cultural and natural diversity.

"This session in Busan marks an important step forward for the World Heritage Convention. Together, we welcomed the first World Heritage sites from three African countries, celebrated the first inscriptions for two Small Island Developing States, and adopted the first ten-year Strategy for SIDS. These achievements demonstrate what multilateral cooperation can deliver when Member States work together in a spirit of dialogue and consensus. I extend my sincere thanks to the Chair and Members of the Committee, all States Parties, the Advisory Bodies, the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, our partners, and the UNESCO Secretariat for their commitment and outstanding work throughout this session. Together, we are building a World Heritage List that is more representative of the diversity of humanity and strengthening our collective responsibility to protect it for future generations." Khaled El-Enany UNESCO Director-General

Increasing recognition of sites of memory

Since 2023, the World Heritage List includes "sites of memory" to recognize events that a country and its people and communities wish to memorialize. Today, these Sites of Memory are places of reconciliation, contemplation and peaceful reflection. During this Committee session, the Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944 (France) joined the World Heritage list as sites of memory, honouring the remembrance of the Allied landings of 6 June 1944.

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