Tanzania has praised the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for its sustained technical and financial support in strengthening the conservation and management of World Heritage Sites, describing the assistance as instrumental in safeguarding some of the country's most important cultural and natural assets.
Speaking during the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs Juma Homera said Tanzania values the Centre's role in implementing the 1972 World Heritage Convention despite the financial constraints it faces.
He said UNESCO's support has enabled Tanzania to strengthen the management of its World Heritage Sites through the International Assistance programme, which has financed capacity-building for conservation professionals, improved site management and supported the protection of key heritage areas.
The initiatives have contributed to better management of Tanzania's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, helping reinforce conservation standards and long-term preservation efforts, Homera said.
He reaffirmed Tanzania's commitment to working closely with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to advance the objectives of the 1972 World Heritage Convention and protect sites of outstanding universal value for future generations.
As a member of the World Heritage Committee, Tanzania will continue supporting international efforts to strengthen heritage conservation while fulfilling its obligations under the Convention, he added.
The 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee has brought together the committee's 21 member states alongside countries that are party to the World Heritage Convention.
The meeting is considering the conservation status of existing World Heritage Sites and deliberating on nominations for new sites to be inscribed on, or removed from, UNESCO's World Heritage List.
