UNESCO Adds 24 New Sites

UNESCO has added 24 new sites, a mix of significant cultural and natural wonders, and one which is in danger due to the conflict surrounding it.  The new UNESCO sites are throughout the world, but nothing new in North America.

Here are the new UNESCO sites, by category –

UNESCO New Cultural Heritage Sites

The newly added cultural heritage sites include the Beijing Central Axis in China, the Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu in Romania, the Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake in Russia, and the Frontiers of the Roman Empire in Romania.

In Africa, significant cultural additions are the Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi in Kenya,and the Nelson Mandela Legacy sites in South Africa.

Additionally, the Royal Court of Tiébélé in Burkina Faso and the Moidams in India have been recognized.

UNESCO also included the Phu Phrabat Historical Park in Thailand, the Schwerin Residence Ensemble in Germany, and the archaeological heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex in Malaysia.

In the Middle East, the Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area in Saudi Arabia, Hegmataneh in Iran and the Umm Al-Jimāl in Jordan were also included.

UNESCO New Natural Heritage Sites

Among the natural heritage sites, Brazil’s Lençóis Maranhenses National Park stands out with its stunning landscape of dunes and lagoons.

The Badain Jaran Desert in China, The Flow Country in the UK, and the Vjetrenica Cave in Ravno, Bosnia and Herzegovina, were also recognized for their unique natural beauty and ecological importance.

Te Henua Enata in The Marquesas Islands, France, was acknowledged for its remarkable natural and cultural landscape.

UNESCO New Mixed Heritage Sites

These new additions feature a combination of both cultural and natural significance.

These include the archaeological sites in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa, which offer a well-preserved record of modern human behavior dating back 162,000 years.

Melka Kunture and Balchit in Ethiopia also present a blend of cultural and natural heritage with their historical and environmental importance.

UNESCO New Heritage Site in Danger

UNESCO also highlighted the importance of protecting heritage sites in conflict zones by adding the Saint Hilarion Monastery also known as Tell Umm Amer, an ancient monastery in the Gaza Strip, to both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Founded by Saint Hilarion, the site holds historical significance as one of the oldest, largest, and most intricate in the Middle East, and the first monastic community in the Holy Land.

While it has been listed tentatively since 2012, its status was given an emergency acceleration due to the conflict.

The dual designation emphasizes the need for its protection amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

The 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites added in 2024 – in alphabetical order –

• Beijing Central Axis, China
• Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu, Romania
• Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake, Russia
• Frontiers of the Roman Empire, Romania
• Hegmataneh, Iran
• Nelson Mandela Legacy sites, South Africa
• Melka Kunture and Balchit, Ethiopia
• Moidams, India
• Phu Phrabat Historical Park, Thailand
• Royal Court of Tiébélé, Burkina Faso
• Sado Island Gold Mines, Japan
• Saint Hilarion Monastery / Tell Umm Amer, Gaza Strip
• Schwerin Residence Ensemble, Germany
• Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex, Malaysia
• Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area, Saudi Arabia
• Pleistocene Occupation Sites, South Africa
• Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi, Kenya
• Umm Al-Jimāl, Jordan
• Via Appia, Italy
• Badain Jaran Desert, China
• Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
• The Flow Country, UK
• Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Te Henua Enata, The Marquesas Islands, France

Officials announced the inclusion of the ancient monastery during the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India.

Thanks to the travel trade publication Travel and Tour World for alerting us to this information.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.  Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter