UNESCO World Heritage: Five new African sites added

Hibapress

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced the inscription of five new African sites as World Heritage Sites.

“We are pleased to announce the inscription of five new African sites as UNESCO World Heritage sites, following the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2024. These sites illustrate the cultural and natural diversity of the continent and the importance of their preservation for humanity,” the UN Organization said in a statement.

The new inscriptions concern the sites of Melka Kunture and Balchit, in Ethiopia, the Royal Court of Tiébélé, in Burkina Faso, the Historic City and the Archaeological Site of Gedi, in Kenya, in addition to the Sites of the Pleistocene Occupation and those of the Heritage of Nelson Mandela, in South Africa.

“These new inscriptions reinforce our commitment to protect Africa’s cultural and natural heritage,” UNESCO said.

“They are a recognition of the global importance of these sites, not only for their historical and cultural value, but also for their educational and inspiring role for future generations,” notes the UN organization, inviting people to explore these “unique” sites and to support its efforts for their conservation.

The 45th session of the World Heritage Committee also resulted in the removal of the Niokolo Koba National Park (Senegal) from the list of World Heritage in Danger thanks to the joint efforts of the Senegalese authorities and local communities, with the support of UNESCO, to reduce the threats to the site, according to the same source.