UNESCO World Heritage Committee convenes in Busan, Korea

UNESCO World Heritage Committee Busan Busan Declaration Korean tidal flats Memory of the World exhibition

The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee opened at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center, marking the first time the meeting has been hosted in South Korea. Around 3,000 delegates from 196 member states, international organisations and NGOs attended. South Korean President Lee Jae‑Myung, UNESCO Director‑General Audrey Azoulay and senior UNESCO officials participated in the opening ceremony.

The committee will review the conservation status of existing sites, consider nominations for 30 new World Heritage properties and discuss three amendment proposals. Key agenda items include Korea’s bid to expand the “Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats” World Heritage site, a draft urging Japan to fully acknowledge Korean forced‑labor history at the Sado mine, and the adoption of the “Busan Declaration,” which adds “collaboration” as a sixth strategic objective for heritage protection.

Concurrent cultural programmes highlighted Korea’s heritage: a special exhibition titled “Records of Korea, Memories of the World” displayed over 100 documentary heritage items, while the K‑Heritage House hosted performances, a night‑time heritage walk, and a symposium on the Japanese‑military “comfort‑women” issue. These events aim to raise global awareness of Korea’s cultural assets and promote international cooperation in heritage preservation.