The delegation of Turkmenistan is participating in the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which opened on July 19 in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Turkmenistan is represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, Chinar Rustemova, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea, Begench Durdyev.

This annual meeting brings together more than 3000 delegates and international experts from 196 States Parties to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The World Heritage Committee consists of representatives from 21 States Parties to the Convention.

Delegates' speeches reaffirmed the fundamental value of World Heritage as the common heritage of humanity. They also stated that heritage conservation requires concerted efforts to address global challenges, including climate change, urban-rural inequality, and uneven regional development.

During the session, Committee members will review the conservation status of existing properties, 33 proposals for new properties to be inscribed on the World Heritage List, and conservation plans for 147 properties previously inscribed on the List.

The session will continue until July 29.

We previously reported that Turkmenistan proposed adding the art of tahya making to the UNESCO World Heritage List.