UN to List Threatened World Heritage Sites

Kathmandu. The United Nations is preparing to list world sites threatened by war or climate change, including the biblical site, Lebanese palaces, and antelope migration routes.

The 196 member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will vote on new additions to its World Heritage and Endangered World Heritage lists from Friday next week when they gather in Busan, South Korea.

Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, has stated that these sites are important and preparations are being made to take necessary actions to prevent their destruction.

He said that the protection of heritage has allowed affected communities and victims of conflict to return and rebuild. Currently, about 1,200 sites worldwide are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

A vote is expected directly on three sites on the endangered list.

This includes the archaeological site of Sebastia, identified as biblical Samaria, in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank.

Additionally, five palaces in South Lebanon will be prioritized.

UNESCO members are expected to vote to directly list the Boma-Badidilo grasslands and woodland savannahs of South Sudan as threatened by both war and climate change.

Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake located in Russia, which is struggling to prevent damage from pollution, mass tourism, and low water levels, could also be endangered, officials said.

Similarly, two theaters in Brazil's Amazon jungle and Tunisia's village of Sidi Bou Said are also likely to be listed.