At the extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which transpired in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 10 through 25 September, 12 new Asia-Pacific sites (out of a global total of 42 new sites), and two new inscriptions (out of a global total of five) for ‘recognition for significant modifications to the boundaries of an existing site’, have joined the UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL).

New Asia-Pacific UNESCO World Heritage List inscriptions in 2022 and 2023 (12):

• Cambodia: Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar
• China: Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er
• India: Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas; and Santiniketan
• Indonesia: The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks
• Iran (Islamic Republic of): The Persian Caravanserai
• Mongolia: Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites
• Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan: Cold Winter Deserts of Turan
• Republic of Korea: Gaya Tumuli
• Tajikistan: Tugay Forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve
• Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan: Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor
• Thailand: The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments

In addition, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognizes significant modifications to the boundaries of existing World Heritage properties in Asia-Pacific (2): 

• Azerbaijan and Iran (Islamic Republic of): Hyrcanian Forests 
• Viet Nam: Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago

These 2023 Asia-Pacific listings now number among a total of 42 new inscribed cultural or natural properties of ‘outstanding universal value’, and five recognitions of significant modifications of the boundaries of existing World Heritage properties from across the globe. 

Now tallying 1,199 properties worldwide, the World Heritage List is testament to UNESCO’s commitment to the preservation, maintenance and sustainable development – in collaboration with national governments, regional stakeholders, and local communities – of the world’s cultural and natural treasures as constituting assets of ‘universal heritage’ for all peoples.

• For the complete list of new inscriptions and new recognitions of significant modifications of boundaries
• For the complete UNESCO World Heritage List as of 25 September 2023
• For further documentation of the extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee

#WorldHeritage

_{(Photo credit, from left to right, top to bottom): National Authority for Preah Vihear (NAPV), Xie Jun, INTACH Bengaluru Chapter, Rabindra Bhavan Archives, Management Unit for the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta, Babak Sedighi, Ts.Turbat, A. Pavlenko, World Heritage Nomination Office for the Gaya Tumuli, N. Marmazinskya, IICAS, The Fine Arts Department, Fariba Babaei, Lionel Lalaité, UNESCO World Heritage Centre}