Tanzania has extended heartfelt appreciation to African nations for their continued collaboration in the preservation and protection of the continent’s World Heritage Sites.
Speaking in Paris on Saturday during a special session of the Africa Group, held on the margins of the 47th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, Dr Hassan Abbasi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to regional solidarity in safeguarding Africa’s natural and cultural treasures.
“The Africa Group remains a vital platform for ensuring that the voices of African countries are heard in global heritage discussions,” Dr Abbasi said.
“Tanzania deeply values the spirit of unity and shared responsibility that drives this cooperation.”he added
The session brought together senior African delegates and technical experts to strategize on a coordinated approach for engaging with other regions, as part of efforts to secure Africa’s interests during the ongoing UNESCO deliberations.
Tanzania’s Ambassador to France, Ali J. Mwadini, also attended the session and echoed Dr Abbasi’s message, thanking African member states and UNESCO bodies for their support in heritage protection efforts.
“We remain grateful for the strategic partnerships and technical backing provided by African nations and UNESCO, especially in addressing preservation challenges faced by sites across the continent,” Ambassador Mwadini noted.
The session came as UNESCO officially approved the latest state-of-conservation reports submitted by Tanzania for three of its World Heritage Sites Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Selous Game Reserve, and the historic ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara.
The 47th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting continues in Paris, bringing together global stakeholders to assess the state of heritage preservation and determine the status of nominated and existing sites.