BUSAN: TANZANIA has secured a strategic position in global heritage governance after being elected to chair the African Group in the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the next two years, while also taking the role of Vice-Chair of the committee.
The appointments give Tanzania a stronger platform to represent African priorities in international discussions on protecting cultural and natural heritage at a time when many sites across the continent face growing pressure from climate change, urban expansion, biodiversity loss and limited conservation resources.
The elections were held during the ongoing 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea.
As Chair of the African Group, Tanzania will coordinate the continent’s common positions on World Heritage matters, lead consultations among African member states and represent regional interests during committee deliberations.
The country will also work alongside the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and its advisory bodies, including the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), in advancing conservation priorities.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is the organisation’s main decision-making body responsible for implementing the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
The 21-member committee meets annually to evaluate nominations for inclusion on the World Heritage List, monitor the condition of listed properties and oversee support provided through the World Heritage Fund.
Tanzania’s election comes as African countries seek a stronger voice in global heritage discussions and greater international support to protect sites affected by environmental and social pressures.
Across the continent, conservation efforts face challenges ranging from climate-related damage and biodiversity decline to illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts and increasing pressure from urban development.
The new leadership role provides Tanzania with an opportunity to influence discussions on sustainable heritage management, conservation financing and the role of communities in protecting cultural and natural resources.
Tanzania’s position is also supported by its experience managing globally recognised heritage assets. The country is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites that reflect its archaeological, historical and ecological importance.
Tanzania tells UNESCO of its efforts to use Kiswahili for global economic gains
Among them is Serengeti National Park, known worldwide for the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the largest wildlife movements on Earth. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area combines rich biodiversity with internationally significant archaeological discoveries linked to human history.
Other sites include Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain; Stone Town of Zanzibar, a historic centre of Swahili coastal trade; the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, which preserve the legacy of medieval Swahili civilisation; Kondoa Rock-Art Sites, recognised for thousands of prehistoric paintings; and the Selous Game Reserve, now largely incorporated into Nyerere National Park.
While the election raises Tanzania’s profile internationally, heritage experts and conservation stakeholders have increasingly highlighted the need to balance protection efforts with sustainable economic benefits for communities living around heritage areas.
For many African countries, the challenge is not only preserving globally recognised sites but also ensuring that conservation contributes to livelihoods, tourism development and long-term environmental protection.
Tanzania’s new role comes with expectations that it will help build consensus among African countries and strengthen cooperation in addressing common challenges affecting the continent’s heritage.
The country’s leadership in the committee is expected to provide an opportunity to advocate for greater support for African heritage sites while sharing lessons from managing some of the world’s most recognised cultural and natural resources.
As climate change and development pressures continue to reshape the conservation landscape, Tanzania’s influence within UNESCO will depend not only on diplomatic leadership but also on how effectively global commitments translate into practical protection of heritage sites on the ground.