The World Heritage Committee (WRC) is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. It has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List.
It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed. It also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Currently, the African Union Commission (AUC) in its recent summit in Niger, Niamey has nominated Ethiopia to be elected as one of the 21 members of the WRC.
The country has lots of heritage sites and there is a total of nine UNESCO world heritage attractions in
Ethiopia, eight cultural sites and one natural conservation area. The most impressive Ethiopian world heritage sites are scattered along the central length of the country from ancient ruins of Axum in the north to the Omo valley archeological sites in the south.
Fanta Beyene Public Relations Director at Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) told The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopia is endowed with numerous natural and man-made heritage sites.
Ethiopia will benefit more from being a member of the committee. Since the committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties he noted.
Fanta said that Ethiopia inscribed lots of her tourist sites both natural and man-made on the World Heritage List. Those inscribed heritage sites of the country need due attention. Also, the committee examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks states parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed.
Fanta noted that it also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.“Because of this being a member of the committee will help us keep our heritage sites safe from damage and to inscribe more such heritage as well as to share the experience with the rest of the member states.
When you join such kinds of a committee you can deepen your existing relationships and experience and create new contacts. Through creating new contacts you can develop your experience in how to conserve properties from damage.” he pointed out.
On the other hand, if the country is being a member of the committee it may offer different opportunities both in inscribing and getting support from the committee due to membership. The country may benefit more when capital and funds are extended to the members for the protection of the heritage, he noted.
Hirut Zemene State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia said the selection of Ethiopia as a member of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee Council member at the Africa level is a success.
“Membership in the world heritage committee benefits us more in protecting our heritage to keep safe from the damage she said. Also, being a member of the committee will help us to follow up nearly what is going on and to keep our heritage sites safe.” she indicated.
According to the World Heritage Convention, a Committee member’s term of office is for six years, but most States Parties choose voluntarily to be Members of the Committee for only four years, to allow other States Parties to be on the Committee. (unesco.org)
All efforts must be made to prevent UNESCO registered heritage from being removed from the list of the world heritage as well as to inscribe more others. Recently one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, Semien National Park caught fire and faced the worst risk perhaps in its history.
The fire was out of control for a couple of days. Membership will benefit the country more in controlling such kinds of problems easily and to fight together if such kinds of problems ever happen, she indicated.
The country is endowed with numerous heritage. However, the country is not in a position to utilize such resources to ensure tourism development from which local communities can generate multi-faceted benefits. Many heritage sites in the country are exposed to serious damages and their survival is questionable.
Fanta stated that being a member of such kinds of committee helps the country in getting support for the rehabilitation of our heritages. “The country will participate in different conferences and meetings about the heritage conservation and there is an opportunity to obtain updated information from the committee or member states. Also, it opens the way for us to easily report what is happening in our heritage sites for the member states”.
The Ethiopian Herald July 20/2019
BY HAILE DEMEKE
