UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage designates a list of sites considered to be of exceptional importance to the heritage of humanity. Maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this list includes monuments, groups of buildings, natural sites and cultural landscapes, recognized for their outstanding universal value in terms of culture, history, science or nature. The main aim is to preserve and protect these sites for future generations by providing funding, technical assistance and raising public awareness of their importance.
Member countries submit nominations for sites they consider worthy of recognition, and these are examined by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, made up of elected representatives from 21 countries. For a site to be inscribed on the World Heritage List, it must meet at least one of the ten criteria established by UNESCO, covering various cultural and natural aspects:
1. Represent a masterpiece of human creative genius, such as exceptional works of art or architectural structures.
2. Demonstrate a significant interchange of human influences in the development of the arts or technologies.
3. Be a unique or extremely rare testimony to a living or extinct tradition or civilization.
4. Illustrate a significant stage in human history through a type of construction, an architectural complex or a remarkable landscape.
5. Represent a type of human landscape that shows significant stages in human history.
6. Be associated with events, traditions, ideas or beliefs of great universal significance.
7. Contain natural phenomena or areas of natural beauty of exceptional importance.
8. Show important ecological processes or significant geological phenomena.
9. Contain important ecosystems, natural habitats and areas essential for biodiversity.
10. Be crucial to the conservation of biological diversity, particularly endangered species.
Listing a site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site brings international recognition and economic benefits by attracting more visitors. But it can also bring challenges such as over-visitation and site degradation. To manage these impacts, several actors collaborate: national and local governments set conservation policies and regulate tourism, while UNESCO provides advice and financial support. Site management bodies take care of day-to-day management, and local communities ensure the sustainability of tourism practices. NGOs and experts provide support to ensure effective conservation. Together, these efforts aim to protect sites while enabling their appreciation by the public.
Currently, UNESCO's World Heritage List includes 1,223 sites. This year, the UNESCO World Heritage List was enriched by 13 new sites, revealed at the recent meeting in New Delhi. These new inscriptions reflect the diversity and richness of our global heritage. Here is an overview of the new sites added:
The Via Appia, Italy
This vestige of the Roman Empire, nicknamed “Regina Viarum” or “Queen of the Roads”, is an impressive example of Roman engineering, with over 500 kilometers of paving dating back to 312 BC.
The Sado Mines, Japon
Exploited from the 12th century until after the Second World War, they were marked by the forced labor of thousands of Koreans during Japanese colonization. Their inscription on the World Heritage List was controversial for 14 years, but agreement was reached with Japan's promise to commemorate these working conditions.
The Monumental Ensemble of Constantin Brâncuși in Târgu Jiu, Romania
A tribute to the Romanian soldiers of the First World War, consisting of three monumental sculptures created by the famous sculptor.
Niah Cave, Malaisia
A major archaeological site, consisting of a series of caves in Niah National Park, where remains dating back 38,000 years have been discovered, including the skull of a Homo sapiens.
Nelson Mandela Memorial Site, South Africa
Symbolic places linked to the struggle for human rights, freedom and reconciliation, honoring Mandela's legacy, the exact list of which has yet to be announced.
Ged, Kenya
This unique archaeological site, where inhabitants still reside, contains the ruins of a 13th-century port and complex palaces made of coral, earth and plaster, reflecting the historical and cultural importance of Swahili civilization.
The Central Axis of Beijing, China
This axis was created in 1267 under the Yuan dynasty, then modified and perfected over 700 years under the Ming and Qing dynasties and in modern times represents a collection of ancient imperial palaces and gardens illustrating traditional Chinese urban planning and the distinctive characteristics of this civilization.
Phu Phrabat Park, Thailand
Known for its Sema stones from the Dvaravati period, this site reveals important aspects of Thai culture and history.
Lake Kenozero Nature Park, Russia
A cultural landscape shaped since the 12th century by Slavic colonization with wooden settlements, combining Finno-Ugric culture and Slavic agriculture. Wooden churches and religious buildings with painted ceilings illustrate the inhabitants' spiritual bond with their environment.
Al-Faw Archaeological Site, Saudi Arabia
A thriving ancient city of the Kingdom of Kindah, active since the 2nd century BC, revealing important aspects of pre-Islamic history.
Hegmataneh, Iran
The ancient capital of the Medes, surrounded by seven concentric walls, contains important architectural remains such as the palace of Darius, gardens and temples. These ruins, discovered in the 19th century, illustrate Iran's rich history and cultural influences along the Silk Road.
Schwerin Residence, Germany
A Renaissance castle on an island, offering magnificent views and a glimpse of the historic luxury of the Dukes of Mecklenburg.
Saint Hilarion Monastery, Palestine
A World Heritage Site in Danger due to the geopolitical situation of war, located in the Gaza Strip.
These new additions enrich the World Heritage List, highlighting various aspects of our cultural and natural heritage.
To discover the full list of inscribed properties and learn more about these World Heritage treasures, please consult the complete list available here.