Oman-UNESCO Partnership Boosts Heritage Protection in East Africa

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 26, 2026

Oman reaffirmed its partnership with UNESCO to strengthen heritage conservation and capacity-building efforts in East Africa during the 48th World Heritage Committee session in Busan. This collaboration has led to increased African site inscriptions, improved heritage management skills for over 250 professionals, and bolstered sustainable preservation through strategic knowledge sharing.

The Sultanate of Oman highlighted its ongoing collaboration with UNESCO to support heritage conservation efforts in East Africa during an event held alongside the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, from July 19 to 29. The session, titled “Strengthening African Expertise in the Field of World Heritage,” focused on capacity-building and improving the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention in African countries.

Ambassador Amna bint Salim al Balushi, Oman’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, emphasized the importance of long-term, strategic partnerships grounded in knowledge exchange, expertise transfer, and empowerment of national institutions. She pointed to these elements as critical for sustainable development and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

Since 2016, Oman, in cooperation with UNESCO, has been actively working to enhance the management of world heritage sites across Africa. This initiative was expanded in 2021 with the launch of a strategic program aimed specifically at East African nations. The program seeks to build capacity within national institutions, develop specialized skills among heritage professionals, and foster local community involvement in heritage site management.

According to Ambassador al Balushi, the program has yielded measurable achievements. These include supporting the inscription of additional African sites on the World Heritage List, updating tentative heritage site lists across multiple countries, and providing training to 250 heritage specialists from various East African states. The efforts have helped prepare qualified personnel to manage heritage sites effectively and to compile nomination dossiers that meet international standards.

The ambassador noted that Oman’s approach, centered on international cooperation and expertise sharing, reflects the country's commitment to investing in capacity-building as a fundamental component of the World Heritage Convention’s effective application. Furthermore, she underscored that these efforts contribute to enhancing the representation of African countries on the World Heritage List.

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