UNESCO in Asia and the Pacific

• UNESCO in Asia and the Pacific is a 45-minute group presentation.

Intro (Fact or Bluff)

• Rice terraces in the Philippines spell out "LOVE" when viewed from a drone (Bluff).
• Shirakawa-go, Japan, is a UNESCO village with triangle-shaped houses and thick, straw roofs.
• Sites can be delisted by UNESCO if they aren't protected.
• Australia's Great Barrier Reef was built by ancient civilizations 5,000 years ago (Bluff).
• Rani ki Vav, located in Gujarat, is a UNESCO stepwell site in India.
• UNESCO promotes education, science, culture, and communication for global unity and peace.
• UNESCO has 194 member states.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites are cultural and natural treasures holding universal value.
• Designation ensures protection, promotes responsible tourism, and fosters international cooperation.

Overview of UNESCO in Asia and the Pacific

• As of April 2025, Asia and the Pacific have 297 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• The total number includes 212 cultural sites, 73 natural sites, and 12 mixed properties.

Cultural Heritage Sites

• Cultural Heritage Sites include historic buildings, religious monuments, archaeological sites, traditional settlements, and cultural landscapes.
• Examples include the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, and Machu Picchu.

Natural Heritage Sites

• Natural Heritage Sites includes national parks, mountain ranges, marine ecosystems, and volcanic formations.

Mixed Heritage Sites

• Mount Fuji in Japan holds cultural value.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Park are located in Australia.

Diversity of Sites

• China has the Great Wall, Xi'an, and Jiuzhaigou Valley.
• Japan has Kyoto's ancient temples, Mt. Fuji, and Himeji Castle.
• South Korea has royal palaces and Confucian academies.
• The Philippines has Banaue Rice Terraces, Baroque Churches, and Tubbataha Reefs.
• Indonesia has Borobudur and Prambanan temples, volcanoes, and tropical forests.
• Vietnam has Ha Long Bay, Hoi An Ancient Town, and My Son Sanctuary.
• New Zealand features Milford Sound, Māori sacred sites, and geothermal areas.
• Fiji has sacred caves, traditional communities, and marine biodiversity.
• Papua New Guinea has tribal heritage and rainforests.

Nomination and Preservation

• Nomination: Each country submits a file to UNESCO, and sites must meet at least one of 10 criteria.
• Preservation: Countries manage and protect listed sites by monitoring threats, creating management plans, and promoting education/local involvement.
• Regional cooperation involves sharing resources/expertise and participating in workshops/projects.

Great Wall of China

• It is located in northern China, stretching from Shanhaiguan to Jiayuguan.
• The Wall runs through multiple regions, including Beijing and Inner Mongolia.
• The first building began when the country was unified under Emperor Qin Shi Huang (221 BCE).
• The Wall features watchtowers, beacon towers, and strategic passes.
• The Great Wall has been a UNESCO site since 1987.

Ancient Kyoto

• Kyoto is located in Kyoto, Uji, and Ōtsu.
• Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital from 794-1868.
• Founded as Heian-kyō in 794 AD, Kyoto was the capital for over 1,000 years.
• Kyoto spared from WWII bombings due to intervention from U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson and allowed the preservation of structures.

Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

• Angkor Wat is situated in Siem Reap Province and about 5.5 kilometers north of the historical city of Angkor.
• Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century during King Suryavarman II's reign.
• It was designed as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and then transformed into a Buddhist temple.
• It was built with sandstone blocks from a quarry over 50 kilometers (31 miles) away.

Banaue Rice Terraces

• The Banaue Rice Terraces are located in Banaue, Ifugao province, in the Philippines.
• The terraces were built over 2,000 years ago by the Ifugao people.

Taj Mahal (India)

• It was built in 1631 by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
• It is located beside the Yamuna River.
• The Taj Mahal took 17 years and 20,000 workers to complete.

Kathmandu Valley (Nepal)

• Cities within Kathmandu Valley include Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.
• Home to 130+ monuments and 7 heritage sites.
• It is also an ancient trade route.

Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

• Samarkand is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia.
• It became the capital of the Timurid Empire in the 14th century.
• Samarkand was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

Taputapuātea (French Polynesia)

• Taputapuātea translates to "sacrifices from abroad."
• It is located on Raiatea Island.
• Dedicated to Oro (god of war and fertility).

Kakadu National Park (Australia)

• Kakadu National Park is located in the Northern Territory of Australia.
• It has been inhabited continuously for over 40,000 years.
• The park is home to an estimated 10,000 crocodiles.
• Cave paintings, rock carvings, and archaeological sites record the skills and way of life of the region's inhabitants.

Threats and Challenges

• Rising sea levels endanger coastal and island sites.
• Extreme weather damages heritage areas.
• Coral bleaching and biodiversity loss in natural sites due to temperature changes.
• Droughts affect agricultural landscapes and water systems.
• Cultural heritage deteriorates due to shifting weather patterns and material decay.
• Displacement of communities disrupts traditions and intangible heritage.
• Armed conflicts destroy cultural heritage.
• Earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis threaten both cultural and natural sites.

Preservation Efforts

• The local community is the first line of defense in protecting heritage sites.
• An example includes the Rice Terraces actively maintained by Indigenous communities using ancient methods.
• UNESCO supports local engagement by community-led conservation and tourism development.

Digital Technology

• Digital tools like 3D laser scanning, drones, and digital mapping document sites.
• These technologies allow the public to experience heritage sites through virtual reality.

International Cooperation

• UNESCO collaborates to teach conservation professionals.
• Funding & resources are provided by South Korea, Japan, and European countries.
• Prompt action is taken in places affected by conflicts or disasters.

Case Study: Revitalization of Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan)

• Two large Buddha statues were demolished by the Taliban in 2001.
• Key preservation efforts include stabilizing niches, conserving murals, digital archiving, and developing a cultural center.
• UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in Danger (2003).

UNESCO Sites in Asia and Pacific

• They protect shared culture and nature.
• They connect the past to the present and benefit local communities.

Youth Involvement in Heritage

• Programs like the Asia-Pacific World Heritage Youth Forum bring students and teachers together.

Cultural Identity, Pride, and Education

• Heritage sites strengthen cultural identity and build community pride.

Economic Benefits (Tourism and Jobs)

• UNESCO sites bring in tourists.

Local Traditions and Nature

• Heritage sites protect traditions, farming practices, and nature.

Empowering Local Communities

• Communities lead tourism activities, tell their stories, and earn income.

Research and Global Interest

• UNESCO sites attract researchers, students, and experts.