Zambia joins Africa in commemorating 20 years of the African World Heritage Fund
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Zambia joins Africa in commemorating 20 years of the African World Heritage Fund
Media Release
BUSAN, Republic of Korea, Saturday, July 25, 2026 – Zambia has joined other African countries and the international heritage community in celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) during the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee taking place in Busan, Republic of Korea.
The Zambian delegation was led by Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Mr. EVANS
MUHANGA, accompanied by National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) Executive Director Mr. KAGOSI MWAMULOWE, senior Government officials and representatives from the Zambian Embassies in Paris, France, and Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Held under the theme “Celebrating Two Decades of Sustainable Investment in Africa’s Heritage,” the commemorative event recognised the African World Heritage Fund’s outstanding contribution to safeguarding Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage through conservation initiatives, capacity building, technical assistance and support for the inscription, protection and effective management of UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the continent.
Speaking during the anniversary celebrations, Mr. MWAMULOWE described himself as a proud beneficiary of the African World Heritage Fund, noting that the Fund had played a transformative role in his professional development through specialised training, mentorship and technical support in heritage conservation and management.
Mr. MWAMULOWE said the knowledge and skills acquired through the Fund had enabled him to contribute effectively to Zambia’s heritage conservation efforts and to the country’s growing influence within UNESCO’s World Heritage system. He noted that Zambia has risen to occupy strategic leadership positions, including serving as Chair of Africa Group 5(a) of the World Heritage Committee and Vice-Chair on the World Heritage Bureau.
He further commended the African World Heritage Fund for investing in African professionals and institutions, stating that its continued support has strengthened the continent’s capacity to conserve heritage resources while nurturing a new generation of heritage practitioners equipped to address emerging conservation challenges.
A major highlight of the celebrations was the launch of the publication Heritage Authenticity in Theory and Practice in Africa, an important scholarly work examining the evolving understanding and application of authenticity in the conservation and management of African heritage sites.
Zambia proudly featured among the contributors through Acting NHCC Director for the South West Region, Ms. Musawa Hamusonde, who co-authored Chapter 22 of the publication. Her contribution reflects Zambia’s growing role in international heritage research and demonstrates the country’s commitment to advancing knowledge and best practices in heritage conservation.
Over the past two decades, the African World Heritage Fund has become a cornerstone of heritage conservation across Africa by supporting State Parties in preparing successful World Heritage nominations, strengthening institutional capacity, training heritage professionals and mobilising financial and technical resources for the conservation of sites of Outstanding Universal Value.
Beyond conservation, the Fund has contributed significantly to sustainable development by promoting heritage-based tourism, creating employment opportunities and encouraging greater community participation in heritage management. These interventions have enabled local communities to derive socio-economic benefits from their cultural and natural heritage while safeguarding their traditions, identity and indigenous knowledge for future generations.
The anniversary celebrations concluded with participating countries reaffirming their commitment to strengthening partnerships, increasing investment in heritage conservation and deepening collaboration with UNESCO and other international partners to ensure Africa’s rich heritage continues to contribute to sustainable development.
Several Member States pledged continued financial support to the African World Heritage Fund as it embarks on its next chapter of empowering African nations to safeguard the continent’s irreplaceable cultural and natural heritage. In a notable commitment, Uganda announced that it would double its annual contribution to the Fund from USD 10,000 to USD 20,000 over the next five years in support of implementing the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
Issued by:
Original Copy Signed
Ndubi Rodger Mvula
Manager – Information and Public Relations.
FOOTNOTE: The National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Tourism charged with the responsibility of conserving Zambia’s natural and cultural heritage for research, sustainable tourism development, education and enjoyment of all the people now in the future. In December 29th, 1989 National Heritage Conservation Commission Act CAP 173 was enacted.
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