Paris, France – The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held from July 6 to 16, 2025, has concluded with the inscription of 26 new properties to the prestigious World Heritage List. This expansion highlights Africa’s growing representation, the recognition of remembrance sites, and the protection of humanity’s shared prehistory.
The Committee, composed of representatives from 21 member states, not only reviewed new nominations but also examined conservation measures for existing properties, addressed the escalating impact of climate change on heritage, and approved the extension of two transboundary parks. With these additions, the World Heritage List now comprises 1,248 sites across 170 countries.
A significant outcome of this year’s session is the emphasis on African heritage. Four new African sites were added, and three sites in Madagascar, Egypt, and Libya were removed from the World Heritage in Danger List. UNESCO further supported African member states with training, funding, and technical expertise, reinforcing the role of local communities in heritage safeguarding.
For the first time, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone successfully nominated sites: the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago and the Gola-Tiwai Complex, respectively. These nominations underscore the growing ambition of African nations to protect cultural and natural treasures while enhancing international awareness of their unique heritage.
The session also showcased global diversity. New cultural entries include Cambodia’s Memorial Sites, the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, Greece’s Minoan Palatial Centres, and the Xixia Imperial Tombs of China. Natural sites such as Denmark’s Møns Klint and Brazil’s Peruaçu River Canyon reflect the ongoing commitment to preserve ecosystems of universal value.
Recognition on the World Heritage List does not directly translate into funding, yet it provides access to international assistance and opportunities for broader visibility. The designation emphasizes a site’s Outstanding Universal Value, affirming its significance not just to the host nation but to all of humanity.
The session’s conclusions reaffirm UNESCO’s evolving approach: safeguarding heritage requires collaboration between governments, experts, and local communities. By acknowledging both tangible and intangible traditions, the organization seeks to ensure that global heritage remains a shared legacy for future generations.
With new inscriptions spanning from West Africa to East Asia, this year’s session demonstrates that heritage preservation remains an essential pillar of cultural diplomacy and sustainable development. UNESCO’s efforts continue to balance the preservation of historical memory with the challenges of climate change, urbanization, and global interconnectedness.
