UNESCO World Heritage: Monaco participates in the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee
The Principality of Monaco took part in the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Busan (Republic of Korea) from 19 to 29 July 2026. The Principality was represented by Séverine DUSAINTPÈRE, Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.
The opening ceremony took place on 19 July in the presence of LEE Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea, and Khaled EL-ENANY, Director-General of UNESCO.
During the session, Séverine DUSAINTPÈRE welcomed the efforts of the World Heritage Centre to support States Parties that are under-represented or not represented on the World Heritage List, and expressed Monaco's support for the new reform plan aimed at strengthening the strategic role, expertise, operational efficiency and digital capabilities of the World Heritage Centre Secretariat.
During the session, 25 new properties were inscribed on the World Heritage List, bringing the total number of World Heritage properties to 1,273 across 173 States Parties.
Among the newly inscribed European properties are the Capetian Royal Fortresses of Languedoc and the Normandy Landing Beaches (France), the Condominio Theatre System of the 18th and 19th Centuries (Italy), and Mount Olympus and its surrounding area (Greece).
The session also marked an important milestone with the first inscriptions on the World Heritage List for the Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, and South Sudan.
In addition, the Committee inscribed six new properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger, underlining the need to strengthen their protection.
The next session of the World Heritage Committee will be held in Istanbul (Türkiye) in 2027.
La cérémonie d’ouverture s’est déroulée le 19 juillet en présence du Président de la République de Corée, M. LEE Jae Myung, et du Directeur général de l’UNESCO, M. Khaled EL-ENANY.
Adopted by UNESCO in 1972, the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage aims to identify, protect and preserve cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value. It brings together, within a single legal instrument, the protection of cultural heritage and natural heritage, recognising the close relationship between people and the environment.
A State Party to the Convention since 1978, the Principality of Monaco remains firmly committed to implementing its objectives. This commitment is demonstrated through Monaco's support for the World Heritage Marine Programme, the Heritage Emergency Fund, and its longstanding partnerships with ICCROM and the ALIPH Foundation.
Further information: https://www.unesco.org/en/world-heritage/committee-2026?hub=68246