The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced the inscription of five new African sites on the World Heritage List.
“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”, says the UN organization in a press release.
The new inscriptions concern the sites of Melka Kunture and Balchit, in Ethiopia, the Royal Court of Tiébélé, in Burkina Faso, the Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi, in Kenya, in addition to the Pleistocene Occupation Sites and the Nelson Mandela Heritage Sites, in South Africa.
“These new inscriptions reinforce our commitment to protecting Africa’s cultural and natural heritage,” says UNESCO.
“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 inspirational role for future generations”, notes the UN organization, inviting people to explore these ‘unique’ sites and support its efforts for their conservation.
The 45th session of the World Heritage Committee also saw 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.