Tanzania leads UNESCO talks on safeguarding African heritage

DAKAR: TANZANIA has urged African countries to deepen cooperation in protecting the continent’s cultural and natural heritage as it chaired the 9th meeting of African member states of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Dakar.

Tanzania’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Saidi Othman Yakubu, highlighted the need for stronger unity among African states to safeguard heritage sites and ensure the continent’s priorities carry greater weight within UNESCO decision making processes.

Delegates reviewed conservation progress across World Heritage sites in Africa, including efforts to restore sites listed as endangered and expand the number of African properties on the global register.

The discussions focused on persistent pressures affecting heritage areas, ranging from climate change and urban expansion to limited funding and the growing need to involve local communities more directly in conservation efforts.

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Participants also explored ways to strengthen partnerships between African countries, UNESCO, and development partners to position heritage protection as a driver of tourism, jobs, and sustainable community development.

The meeting brought together senior representatives, including Pierre Faye, Chair of the African Group at UNESCO and Senegal’s Permanent Delegate, and Albino Jopela, Executive Director of the African World Heritage Fund.

It also served as a preparatory platform ahead of the 48th meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee set for Busan, Republic of Korea.

Tanzania’s role in chairing the session was noted as part of broader efforts to strengthen Africa’s collective voice in global heritage governance, alongside celebrations marking 20 years of the African World Heritage Fund.