Message on the Occasion of the Floods Affecting a Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

From Mr Francesco Bandarin, Director of the World Heritage Centre

We have noted with great concern, the news of massive floods sweeping across Europe and that a number of World Heritage sites in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Hungary are threatened by the worst flooding in a century. I would like to transmit our solidarity with the regional crisis committees and the people of the all the countries struggling to safeguard their heritage.

As the Director General of UNESCO indicated in his message of 16 August 2002 to President Havel of the Czech Republic, UNESCO is readily available to provide technical and emergency assistance to safeguard the precious heritage of future generations.

The 30th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention in 2002 also provides new opportunities to increase international solidarity and conservation partnerships more needed than ever.

The following sites have been reported to be threatened (or potentially threatened) – in addition a number of sites, which are included on the tentative lists of the countries concerned may also be affected: