The 29th Session of the World Heritage Committee has agreed to inscribe “The Historic Monuments of Macao”, with the official title altered to “The Historic Centre of Macao”, on UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage List, under the terms of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (“World Heritage Convention”). The announcement was made by the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on 15 July at 4:10 pm Macao time, to the applause of all present in the hall and by unanimous agreement.

“The Historic Centre of Macao” has, as of <SUP>15</SUP>th July, been officially listed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. To commemorate this event with everybody in Macao, the Cultural Affairs Bureau is holding a “Let’s Celebrate! Macao UNESCO World Heritage” Free Postcard Campaign today and tomorrow.

Durban, South Africa – July 12

The 29^th Session of the World Heritage Committee focused its attention today on reviewing the State of Conservation Reports of properties currently deemed to be under threat and therefore inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

(Durban, South Africa – July 11, 2005)
The first Working Session of the 29th Session of the World Heritage Committee opened this morning with an agenda focusing on the Africa Position Paper. This is the first time the Committee is meeting in sub-Saharan Africa and this year’s particular focus on issues relating to heritage protection in the African continent represents an opportunity for State Parties to work towards developing mechanisms that can realistically be implemented in that region.

The 29th session of the World Heritage Committee opened at 5 pm on July 10 in Durban, South Africa. Between July 10 and 17, the Committee will review proposals for inscription on the World Heritage List, including Macao’s bid. A successful outcome is bound to raise local awareness of heritage conservation and international recognition of Macao.

The Cultural Institute officially launched the website “Macao Heritage Net” yesterday to keep the public up-to-date with Macao heritage conservation works and to provide them with information to research Macao Heritage and World Cultural Heritage.

The “2004 IT Week”, with the theme “IT and Environmental Protection”, will be held from today (October 8) in the Exhibition Hall located on the second floor of the Macao Tower. The Cultural Institute was invited by the organizer to join the “Electronic Government Area” for three consecutive days, in which the Institute will exhibit its “Macao Heritage Net” and “Macao Art Net”, and to promote cultural heritage conservation.

Winners for the “Cultural Heritage Tours of Macao Design Competition” Chinese section were announced.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Asia Pacific Regional Meeting was held in Beijing on July 10. In the Meeting, the Cultural Institute introduced Macao’s cultural heritage to the World Heritage Committee’s appraisal experts.

The “Cultural Heritage Young Journalist Summer Course” opened on July 10. After interviews, 31 young journalists were selected. Dressed in Macao World Cultural Heritage’s T-shirt, the journalists put their hand imprints on a banner and took an oath to promote heritage preservation.