Six globally significant heritage sites, including an ancient Palestinian village, are now facing “major threats” and have been added to UNESCO’s ‘List of World Heritage in Danger’. The international body revealed that armed conflict, climate change, and unchecked development are severely impacting these irreplaceable locations, with decisions made during a committee meeting in Busan, South Korea.
Three sites were inscribed on an emergency basis: the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape in South Sudan, the Mount Amel Castles in Lebanon, and Sebastia in Palestine. The Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape, home to the world’s largest known terrestrial mammal migration, is under threat from infrastructure development, commercial poaching, and wildlife trafficking. In Lebanon, the five Mount Amel Castles, which had already received enhanced protection from UNESCO in November 2024 due to armed conflict, continue to be jeopardised by ongoing hostilities. For Sebastia, a historic Palestinian town, the primary concerns are the proposed Samaria (Shomron) national park, which could fragment the property, and the broader instability in the Middle East.
Beyond these emergency additions, three other sites previously granted UNESCO status are also facing critical threats to their inherent value. These include the Ancient City of Taurica Chersonese and its Chora in Ukraine, the Historic Inner City of Paramaribo in Suriname, and Tyre in Lebanon. UNESCO noted that the conservation and management of the Ancient City of Taurica Chersonese cannot be guaranteed due to the ongoing temporary occupation of Ukrainian territory by the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, construction projects in Paramaribo have proceeded without proper impact assessments, and the committee expressed “deep concern” over persistent hostilities in Lebanon, which continue to endanger the ancient harbour city of Tyre.
These designations underscore the escalating challenges in preserving global cultural and natural heritage amidst a complex geopolitical landscape and environmental pressures. The decision to place these sites on the danger list serves as an urgent call for international attention and coordinated efforts to protect them from irreversible damage. The World Heritage Committee is continuing discussions today, 27 July, regarding further potential nominations to the danger list.