UNESCO has recently added two new sites to the World Heritage List, as reported by CNN. The Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua in the Congo and the volcanic landscapes and forests surrounding Mount Pelée and Pitons in Martinique have secured a coveted spot on the prestigious list. This decision came after deliberations on 50 nominated locations.
In addition to these new additions, UNESCO has also placed two iconic Ukrainian cultural sites, Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, on the endangered World Heritage list. This move was made in response to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has put these sites at risk.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee expressed concerns about the potential danger faced by these Ukrainian sites due to the war. Despite efforts by the Ukrainian government, the committee believes that the protection of these sites’ Outstanding Universal Value is no longer guaranteed under current conditions. This decision was made during a recent UNESCO meeting.
