Japan funds a capacity-building workshop for the development of a World Heritage Tentative List for Sao Tome and Principe

In the framework of the UNESCO Capacity Building Project for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which aims to reinforce capacities for the conservation of World Heritage and the sustainable development of local communities, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the National Commission of Sao Tome and Principe have organized a national strategic workshop that is taking place from 8 to 12 October 2013 in Sao Tome.

Funded by the Japan Funds-in-Trust to UNESCO, this workshop brings together 30 participants, including national experts responsible for natural and cultural heritage sites as well as community leaders. It is being carried-out in close collaboration with the General Direction for Culture of Sao Tome and Principe, and aims to identify potential sites to include on Sao Tome and Principe’s “Tentative List” inventory of cultural and/or natural heritage properties of outstanding universal value to be considered for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

“This workshop is of utmost importance for World Heritage in Africa,” said Kishore Rao, Director of the World Heritage Centre, “as it aims to increase the representation of natural and cultural African sites on the World Heritage List.”