Tanzania officially assumes chairmanship of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee

BUSAN: TANZANIA has officially assumed the chairmanship of the African Group in the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the next two years following the successful conclusion of the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Busan, Republic of Korea.

In addition to the chairmanship, Tanzania will also serve as Vice-Chair of the World Heritage Committee, a member of the Committee’s Bureau and a member of the Bureau of the General Assembly of the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

Speaking at the closing of the session, Tanzania’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Saidi Othman Yakubu, said Tanzania highly values the confidence placed in it by African countries and is committed to discharging its new responsibilities with professionalism, unity and dedication.

He said Tanzania would build on the achievements recorded under Senegal’s leadership while working closely with other African countries to advance the continent’s shared priorities within UNESCO’s World Heritage framework.

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Yakubu also expressed Tanzania’s gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of Korea for the excellent organisation of the meeting and the warm hospitality extended to delegates throughout the session.

He further thanked the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Secretariat, its Director and staff for coordinating the meeting with professionalism and efficiency.

During the session, Tanzania made significant contributions to deliberations on various World Heritage issues, successfully organised a special forum on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and continued to speak on behalf of the African Group on key World Heritage matters.

The country reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to continental solidarity and international cooperation in protecting the world’s cultural and natural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.