The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) deplores the low inscription of African sites on the World Heritage List, on the occasion of African World Heritage Day, celebrated every May 5.
Its Director General, Audrey Azoulay, indicated in a message published Thursday that today sub-Saharan Africa represents only about one tenth of the sites inscribed. “African heritage, whose exceptional value we celebrate today, is not yet recognized at the height of its historical, human and natural importance,” she said.
Azoulay promised to place African World Heritage at the heart of his institution’s strategy. “It is, in a nutshell, about rethinking the way we implement the Convention, to meet the challenges it will face over the next 50 years – and to achieve, finally, the ideal of universality in the singularity which constitutes the base of the world heritage”, she explained.
“It is indeed through its profound singularity, its diversity and its richness that African heritage rises to the universal and challenges us”, continued the patron saint of Unesco.
Azoulay intends to intensify its efforts with African States, experts and local communities who are the guardians of the sites, « so that the African sites, which represent nearly 40% of the sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, are better protected and continue to serve as benchmarks for the next 50 years.
She also affirmed that « to better recognize this African heritage and that it enriches our world heritage, we will ensure that by 2025, all the African States which so wish have submitted at least one request for inscription on the World Heritage List, with the scientific and logistical support of our Organization”.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1160 of 05/05/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
