03 July 2015 - Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro delivered a statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China under item 5C: Follow-up of the Director-General’s initiative “The World Heritage Convention: Thinking Ahead” during the 39th Session of the World Heritage Committee, in her capacity as Chair of the Paris Chapter of the G77 and China.
In her statement, Ambassador Lazaro expressed concern over attacks on World Heritage sites throughout the world and commended UNESCO for its #unite4heritage campaign which aims to build support for the protection of heritage threatened by sectarianism and extreme violence.
Ambassador Lazaro also called for solidarity with Nepal whose world heritage has been severely damaged by recent natural disasters. She emphasized the need for enhanced capacity-building and technical assistance for developing countries so that they can more effectively protect and benefit from world heritage and increase their inscriptions on the World Heritage List.
Ambassador Lazaro concluded her statement by reaffirming the G77 and China’s support for a more balanced and credible World Heritage List and a strong Committee, in order to increase the Convention’s relevance for developing and least developed countries and promote equitable and inclusive sustainable development.
The Philippines is part of the 21-member World Heritage Committee, one of the most prestigious bodies associated with UNESCO. The Committee, whose main responsibility is to implement the World Heritage Convention, holds its 39th Session from June 28 to July 08 in Bonn, Germany. END