Rabat – The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has added six new sites to the List of World Heritage in Danger, citing escalating threats ranging from armed conflict and urban development to archaeological damage and risks to biodiversity.
Three of the sites were placed on the list under UNESCO’s emergency procedure, reflecting the urgency of the threats they face.
These include the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape in South Sudan, the Mount Amel Castles in Lebanon, and the Archaeological Site of Sebastia in the State of Palestine.
According to UNESCO, Sebastia faces multiple risks, including a proposed expropriation project and the creation of a national park, alongside the wider impacts of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The committee also added three existing World Heritage properties to the endangered list: the Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora in Ukraine, the Historic Centre of Paramaribo in Suriname, and the Ancient City of Tyre in Lebanon.
In Crimea, satellite imagery revealed significant deterioration at the Tauric Chersonese site, with new construction and archaeological excavations affecting its integrity.
Meanwhile, UNESCO said the historic center of Paramaribo has been increasingly compromised by recent developments carried out without adequate heritage impact assessments, raising concerns over the site’s authenticity and historic urban landscape.
The organization also expressed deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in Lebanon, warning that the archaeological site of Tyre is at direct risk as the conflict continues.
UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger is designed to draw international attention to cultural and natural sites facing serious threats.
The designation helps mobilize technical expertise, financial support, and conservation efforts to protect properties of outstanding universal value before irreversible damage occurs.
