Seychelles Strengthens Global Ties at Busan World Heritage Session

Minister Amanda Bernstein, joined delegates from across the globe in Busan, Republic of Korea, for the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Ten days of plenary debate, side events and quiet diplomatic conversation produced some of the most consequential decisions in the Committee’s recent history and gave Seychelles a front-row seat at a defining moment within the World Heritage system, at a time when the country looks ahead to its own bid to place the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town on the World Heritage List.

The Committee opened with the adoption of the Busan Declaration, a renewed international 1972 World Heritage Convention. Days later came a landmark for island states everywhere: the adoption of the World Heritage Strategy for Small Island Developing States(SiDs)2026-2034, backed by a US$13 million budget. Though SIDS makeup roughly a fifth of the Convention’s States Parties, they hold barely 3%of the properties on the World Heritage List-a gap the new Strategy is designed to close through climate resilience support, technical capacity-building and a dedicated funding stream.

Alongside the Minister, the delegation comprised Ms. Benjamin e Rose, Executive Director of the Seychelles Heritage Agency; Ms. Julienne Barra, Director General of the Seychelles Museum, Archives and Library Authority; Mrs. Sophia Rosalie, Director for International Cooperation in the Department of Culture; Ms. Josh in ta Hort er, Senior Heritage Officer at the Seychelles Heritage Agency; and Mr. Ralph A grip pine, Principal Counsellor atthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, who provided diplomatic and protocol support throughout the mission.

Seychelles was not a bystander to this milestone. Ms. Benjamin e Rose, Executive Director of the Seychelles Heritage Agency, delivered the country’s formal intervention in support of the delegation.

The Session also delivered a historic moment for the continent, with South Sudan, the Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe each inscribing their first-ever World Heritage properties-a result the Africa Group described as a milestone for represent at iv it yon the List, and one the Seychelles delegation welcomed warmly in its meetings with UNESc O officials during the week.

It is exactly the kind of achievement Seychelles hopes to celebrate with its own first cultural inscription, should the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town nomination progress as planned.

Away from the plenary floor, the delegation used the Session to deepen working relationships with the institutions that shape World Heritage decision-making. The Minister met with the Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Mr. Lazare Elo undo u As somo, and the Chief of its Africa Unit to discuss Seychelles ‘ ongoing implementation of the Convention. She held further discussions with the Executive Director of the African World Heritage Fund, Dr. Albino H. E. Ms. Ahlem Gharbi, on shared experience across the nomination process generally.

The delegation also held discussions with the Director of the ICo Mos Evaluation Unit, gaining a clearer understanding of how the Committee’s Advisory Bodies works. It was useful, practical insight for a country continuing to build its own heritage institutions and expertise.

Minister Bernstein additionally took part as a panelist in two high-profile side events: one marking the 2 o th anniversary of the African World Heritage Fund, and another on African leadership and cooperation in heritage conservation. In both, she spoke to Seychelles’ rather than isolated national effort and paying tribute to the role of the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town in telling the story of liberated Africans and the Sey c hello is identity.

Sessions such as Busan and World Heritage offer valuable, direct contact with the people and institutions that shape global heritage policy. The meetings and conversations held throughout the week added to Seychelles ‘ relationships with UNESc O’s Secretariat, its Advisory Bodies, the support the country’s heritage work in the period ahead.

The Committee’s decisions on the SiDs Strategy, on strengthening the Preliminary Assessment direction: a more accessible, better-resourced path for smaller and developing nations to protect and present their heritage to the world. It is apath Seychelles intends to keep walking, the global heritage community.

The delegation extends its sincere appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Korea for hosting awell organised and successful 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan. The participation of the Minister for Tourism and Culture reflected the Government’s commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of Seychelles ‘ cultural heritage at the highest level. Throughout the mission, the technical team from the Department of Culture, Arts and National Heritage supported Seychelles ‘ engagement in the World Heritage process through its expertise and active participation in the programme of meetings and technical exchanges, while further strengthening the country’s international cooperation and partnerships in the field of cultural heritage.