BUSAN : The event sees the participation of States Parties to the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

The delegation of the Sultanate of Oman was led by Her Excellency Amna Salim Al Balushi, Permanent Delegate of the Sultanate of Oman to UNESCO.

The Sultanate of Oman participated in this session as an observer, with the delegation taking part in the committee’s sessions dedicated to discussing nomination dossiers for inscribing new sites on the World Heritage List and state of conservation reports for inscribed properties. The delegation also followed up on topics related to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and participated in several meetings and side events held alongside the session.

The 48th session of the World Heritage Committee witnessed the adoption of 25 new sites onto the World Heritage List, comprising 19 cultural sites, 5 natural sites, and 1 mixed site. In addition, state of conservation reports for a number of World Heritage sites were discussed, and a set of decisions and recommendations aimed at enhancing the protection of cultural and natural heritage and supporting the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention were adopted.

This brought the total number of sites inscribed on the World Heritage List to 1,273, including 991 cultural sites, 240 natural sites, and 42 mixed sites, distributed across 173 countries around the world.

The Sultanate of Oman’s participation featured an active presence in side events, where it presented its experience in supporting capacity-building and implementing the World Heritage Convention in African nations during an event titled “Enhancing African Expertise in World Heritage.” Throughout the event, Oman reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation, exchanging expertise, and supporting efforts aimed at protecting cultural and natural heritage.

Oman showcased the outcomes of the strategic program it has been implementing in partnership with UNESCO since 2021, which aims to support five African countries in developing their national capacities in the field of World Heritage. The program has contributed to training approximately 250 heritage specialists, supporting the preparation of nomination dossiers, and enhancing the sustainable management of World Heritage sites, reflecting Oman’s contribution to supporting the implementation of the World Heritage Convention internationally.

The Omani delegation held several bilateral meetings with UNESCO officials and representatives of States Parties, during which they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in heritage protection, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange, thereby supporting international efforts to safeguard human heritage.
The Sultanate of Oman’s participation in the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee underscores its keenness to continue contributing to international efforts to protect cultural and natural heritage and to strengthen cooperation with States Parties and international organizations in alignment with the objectives of the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

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