UNESCO Adds 26 New World Heritage Sites Across Multiple Countries

During the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Paris, 26 new sites from around the world were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including India's Maratha Military Landscape and several significant African sites such as Guinea-Bissau's Bijagós Archipelago and Sierra Leone's Gola-Tiwai Complex. These new designations highlight UNESCO's efforts to balance geographic representation and emphasize Africa's cultural and biological importance. Notable additions include Germany's Palaces of King Ludwig II, including the famed Neuschwanstein Castle, and North Korea's Mount Kumgang, a sacred mountain with a rich Buddhist heritage. The newly inscribed sites comprise 21 cultural, four natural, and one mixed property, expanding the list to over 1,200 landmarks globally. The Gola-Tiwai Complex was recognized for its biodiversity and community-based management, while Mount Kumgang was noted for its intertwined natural and cultural heritage. Additionally, extensions for existing sites such as Vietnam's Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park were approved, further preserving diverse cultural and natural landscapes worldwide.