World Heritage Centre News - February 26, 2023

Report released on UNESCO/Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust Project supporting Silk Roads Nomination(s) (Phase II)
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2525
In line with UNESCO's efforts since 1988 to encourage research on the Silk Roads as routes of interchange and dialogue of cultures, the UNESCO/Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust (FiT) project "Support for the Asian Silk Roads World Heritage Serial and Transnational Nomination(s) (Phase II)? was launched in November 2018 and completed in November 2022.
Upon completion of this project, the final report has been published, consisting of a comprehensive institutional report and the ...


How debt-for-nature swaps successfully finance UNESCO World Heritage conservation in Belize and Seychelles
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2524
Through innovative national debt restructuring and blue bond arrangements, both Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles and the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System in Belize are securing sustainable finance to help conserve their marine World Heritage sites over the next decades.
On 19 January 2022, global marine protected area practitioners met online with World Heritage managers from the Seychelles and Belize, and experts from The Nature Conservancy, who shared first-hand insights about how blue ...


Call for Entries: 2023 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2523
UNESCO is delighted to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the 2023 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation (?Awards') recognizes exemplary efforts by individuals and organizations to restore or conserve structures, places and properties of heritage value in the region. It encourages property owners to undertake conservation projects within their communities, either independently ...


Join the World Heritage Volunteers 2023 Campaign
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2519
World Heritage Volunteers 2023 - Working on the Future 
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is pleased to announce the selected projects of the World Heritage Volunteers 2023 Campaign.
Under the theme World Heritage Volunteers 2023 - Working on the Future, and on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, 76 action camp projects will be implemented from April to December 2023 at 69 World Heritage properties and sites on the Tentative Lists, by 58 ...


Earthquake in Syria and Türkiye: UNESCO offers support
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2521
UNESCO on Monday expressed its support for Syria and Türkiye following the devastating earthquakes that struck the two countries. "My condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those who died. My thoughts are also with the injured and all those affected. Our Organization will provide assistance within its mandate,? said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
The Organization has undertaken with its partners an initial survey of damages to heritage. In Syria, UNESCO ...


UNESCO and the Foundation for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage of Rabat sign an agreement in favour of heritage in Morocco and Africa
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2520
On 24 January 2023, UNESCO and the Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat signed a five-year agreement to jointly develop actions for the protection of World Heritage and intangible cultural heritage in Morocco and throughout the African continent. It marks the beginning of a long-term strategic and operational collaboration.
UNESCO and the Foundation for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage of Rabat, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa of ...


World Wetlands Day 2023: It is time for Wetland Restoration
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2522
Celebrated annually on 2 February, World Wetlands Day aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet. This year's theme: ?It is time for Wetland Restoration' - is in alignment with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Ecosystems support all life on earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet - and its people. Taking this into account, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2021?2030 the United Nations ...


Odesa inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in the face of threats of destruction
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2518
The World Heritage Committee on Wednesday decided to inscribe the Historic Centre of Odesa (Ukraine) on the World Heritage List. This decision recognizes the outstanding universal value of the site and the duty of all humanity to protect it.

"Odesa, a free city, a world city, a legendary port that has left its mark on cinema, literature and the arts, is thus placed under the reinforced protection of the international community. While the war continues, this inscription embodies our ...


The Rachid Karameh International Fair of Tripoli (Lebanon) inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2516
The World Heritage Committee meeting in an extraordinary session decided on Thursday to inscribe the Rachid Karameh International Fair of Tripoli (Lebanon) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Located in northern Lebanon, the Rachid Karameh International Fair of Tripoli was designed in 1962 by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer on a 70-hectare site located between the historic centre of Tripoli and the Al Mina port. The main building of the fair consists of a huge covered hall in ...


Landmarks of Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (Yemen) added to UNESCO's World Heritage List
https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2517
The World Heritage Committee meeting in an extraordinary session on Thursday inscribed the Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib, is a serial property comprising seven archaeological sites that bear witness to the rich Kingdom of Saba and its architectural, aesthetic and technological achievements from the 1st millennium BCE to the arrival of Islam around 630 CE.
They bear ...