UNESCO Removes, Adds African Heritage Sites

At the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, UNESCO removed three African sites—the Rainforests of the Atsinanana in Madagascar, Abu Mena (Monastery of Saint Mina) in Egypt, and the Old Town of Ghadamès in Libya—from the World Heritage in Danger List after years of coordinated conservation efforts. The removals reflect successful programs such as Egypt's implementation of a groundwater management system and Madagascar's actions against illegal logging. UNESCO also added sites in Cameroon and Malawi to the World Heritage List, increasing African representation. Director-General Audrey Azoulay described these achievements as a testament to international cooperation and renewed commitment to safeguarding Africa's heritage. The Danger List played a key role in mobilizing global attention and resources for threatened sites. These developments mark a historic moment for African heritage and reaffirm the global community's dedication to preserving shared cultural and natural legacies.