Saint-Louis, Senegal, seeks leadership role at OVPM World Congress

A delegation from Saint-Louis, Senegal, led by Mayor Amadou Mansour Faye, is participating in the 18th World Congress of the World Heritage Cities Organization (OVPM) in Marrakech. The city, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000, has officially announced its candidacy for a seat on the OVPM Board of Directors.

The delegation aims to increase African representation in international heritage governance and to influence strategic directions regarding urban preservation. During the congress, Mayor Faye presented a vision for Saint-Louis that seeks to balance the conservation of colonial architecture and unique island urban planning with modern needs, such as climate change resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable economic development.

On the sidelines of the event, the Saint-Louis delegation held bilateral meetings with representatives from Marrakech, Bordeaux, and Brussels to explore new international partnerships and cooperation.