Destinations shortlisted for UNESCO World Heritage Sites 2019

This week, the committee responsible for the nomination list will begin its 11-day discussions in Baku, Azerbaijan, to decide which sites will be added to the current World Heritage list of 1,092 sites in 167 countries.

magnificent landmarks

Established in 1978, the UNESCO heritage list includes famous landmarks such as Yellowstone National Park in the United States, the Taj Mahal in India, Petra in Jordan, and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

This year, the list of nominees is divided into different categories, ranging from natural heritage sites like Iceland's Vatnajökull National Park to cultural heritage sites like Babylon in Iraq, and sites that combine both natural and cultural elements, such as Paraty in Brazil.

A lengthy process

Destinations nominated for the 2019 list underwent a lengthy evaluation process, during which experts were sent to conduct field surveys and assess conservation efforts at these sites. Sites not selected may still be nominated in subsequent years.

After reaching a final decision, UNESCO will announce the list of new World Heritage Sites via its Twitter account. This process will be completed before July 10th.

Those participating in the discussions in Azerbaijan will also consider the conservation status of heritage sites on the World Heritage List in Danger. Last year, the Commission voted to remove the world's second-largest coral reef – the Belize Reef Reserve system – from the World Heritage List in Danger after the Belizean government collaborated with NGOs to protect it.

This year, sites such as the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal and the ancient city of Nessebar in Bulgaria are new additions to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger.

Meanwhile, the Birthplace, the Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route in Bethlehem, Palestine, and the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter sites in Chile are likely to be removed from the "threatened" list.

List of destinations shortlisted for UNESCO's 2019 World Heritage Site nominations.

Natural heritage:

• Migratory Bird Sanctuary along the Yellow Sea - Bohai Bay coast, China (Phase 1)
• Hyrcanian mixed forest ecosystem (Iran)
• Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (Thailand)
• Land and sea areas around the Austral Islands (France)
• Alps - Mediterranean region (France / Italy / Monaco)
• Vatnajökull National Park (Iceland)

Integrated heritage (natural and cultural):

• The Ohrid region, North Macedonia (Albania), is an extensive cultural and natural heritage site.
• Paraty - Culture and Biodiversity (Brazil)

Cultural heritage:

• Ancient metallurgical site (Burkina Faso)
• Dilmun burial mounds (Bahrain)
• Babylon (Iraq)
• Budj Bim (Australia)
• Archaeological site of Liangzhu City (China)
• Jaipur City, Rajasthan (India)
• The Ombilin coal mining heritage of Sawahlunto (Indonesia)
• Mozu-Furuichi Ancient Tomb (Japan)
• Megalithic sites in Xiengkhuang (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
• Bagan (Myanmar)
• Seowon, Korean Confucian Academy (South Korea)
• Grossglockner Road (Austria)
• Borderlands of the Roman Empire - Danube Limes (Austria / Germany / Hungary / Slovakia)
• Writing-on-Stone Park / Áísínai'pi (Canada)
• Erzoltirge / Krušnohoří mining area (Czech Republic / Germany)
• Area for breeding and training ceremonial horses at Kladruby nad Labem (Czech Republic)
• Augsburg (Germany) water management system
• Krzemionki prehistoric striped flint quarry area (Poland)
• Mafra Royal Estate - Palace, Basilica, Monastery, Cerco Gardens and Hunting Park, Tapada (Portugal)
• The Bom Jesus do Monte nature reserve in Braga (Portugal)
• Ancient Pskov ruins (Russia)
• Risco Caido and the sacred Gran Canaria mountain range (Spain)
• Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK)
• Sheki Historic Center with Khan Palace (Azerbaijan)
• Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano a Valdobbiadene (Italy)
• 20th-century architectural works by Frank Lloyd Wright (USA)
• The "submerged" city of Port Royal (Jamaica)
• Trans-Isthmian route of Panama (Panama)

Hai Anh