Unesco adds 25 sites to World Heritage List, including conflict-zone properties in Iran, Lebanon, Palestine
At its 48th session in Busan, South Korea (19–29 July), Unesco inscribed 25 new properties on its World Heritage List. Among them are sites in conflict-affected countries: Iran's Alamut Castle complex, Palestine's Sebastia, and Lebanon's Mount Amel Castles and the ancient city of Tyre. Sebastia and the Mount Amel Castles were simultaneously placed on the World Heritage in Danger List under emergency procedures due to threats from Israeli occupation and military conflict. Israel condemned the Palestinian nomination, while Palestinian and Lebanese officials welcomed the recognition. Iran celebrated the inscription of Alamut Castle, a medieval Nizari Isma'ili stronghold. Other notable inscriptions include France's D-Day beaches, Finland's Aalto Works, and South Sudan's Boma-Badingilo migratory landscape. The additions bring Iran's total to 30, Palestine's to 6, and Lebanon's to 7 World Heritage Sites.
Key facts
- 25 new properties inscribed at Unesco's 48th session in Busan, South Korea, 19–29 July.
- Iran's Alamut Castle complex (including Lambesar, Navizarsah, Sams Kelayeh, Qosṭinlar, Sirkuh, Ilan) inscribed.
- Palestine's Sebastia inscribed under emergency procedures and placed on Danger List.
- Lebanon's Mount Amel Castles (Beaufort, Tibnin, Chakra, Deir Kifa, Chama') inscribed and placed on Danger List.
- Lebanon's ancient city of Tyre placed on Danger List due to damage from Israeli bombardments.
- Israel opposed the Palestinian nomination; Nina Ben-Ami stated Israel does not recognize Palestinian membership in Unesco.
- Alon Arad (Emek Shaveh) praised Sebastia's listing as a 'highly professional, moral and legally sound decision'.
- Other inscribed sites: D-Day beaches (France), Aalto Works (Finland), Amazonia Theaters (Brazil), Sarnath (India), Asuka and Fujiwara (Japan), Gdynia (Poland), Jingdezhen (China), Rock Mosques of Mangystau (Kazakhstan), Royal Capetian Fortresses (France), Tashkent Modernist Architecture (Uzbekistan), Xiongnu Cemetery Complexes (Mongolia), Medinas of the Comoros, Roças of Sao Tome and Principe, Italian condominio theatres, Sidi Bou Saïd (Tunisia), Wat Phra Mahathat (Thailand), Aqaba Marine Reserve (Jordan), Boma-Badingilo (South Sudan), Okefenokee (USA), Bony Fish Fossils (Denmark), Wadi Wurayah (UAE), Mount Olympus (Greece).
Entities
Artists
- Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi
Institutions
- Unesco
- World Heritage Committee
- Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
- Directorate General of Antiquities (Lebanon)
- Emek Shaveh
- Israeli Foreign Ministry
- Alamut World Heritage Base
Locations
- Busan
- South Korea
- Iran
- Qazvin province
- Alborz mountains
- Alamut Castle
- Lambesar
- Navizarsah
- Sams Kelayeh
- Qosṭinlar
- Sirkuh
- Ilan
- Palestine
- West Bank
- Sebastia
- Lebanon
- Mount Amel Castles
- Qalaat Al Chakif (Beaufort Castle)
- Qalaat Tibnin (Toron Castle)
- Qalaat Chakra (Dubieh Castle)
- Qalaat Deir Kifa (Maron Castle)
- Qalaat Chama' (Chama' Castle)
- Tyre
- France
- Normandy
- Utah Beach
- Omaha Beach
- Gold Beach
- Juno Beach
- Sword Beach
- Pointe du Hoc
- Colleville-sur-Mer
- Finland
- Brazil
- India
- Sarnath
- Japan
- Asuka
- Fujiwara
- Poland
- Gdynia
- China
- Jingdezhen
- Kazakhstan
- Mangystau
- Uzbekistan
- Tashkent
- Mongolia
- Comoros
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Italy
- Tunisia
- Sidi Bou Saïd
- Thailand
- Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Jordan
- Aqaba
- South Sudan
- Boma-Badingilo
- USA
- Okefenokee
- Denmark
- Limfjord
- UAE
- Wadi Wurayah
- Greece
- Mount Olympus
- Ukraine
- Tauric Chersonese
- Suriname
- Paramaribo