By Emmanuel Maijo
Tanzania has achieved a significant milestone on the global cultural and natural heritage stage after being elected to serve on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the 2025–2029 term. This election marks an important moment not only for Tanzania’s heritage conservation efforts but also for its growing leadership role within the international heritage community.
Tanzania joined the UNESCO World Heritage Convention on 2 August 1977, becoming one of the early African nations to embrace the global commitment to safeguarding sites of outstanding universal value. Over the years, the country has demonstrated strong dedication to conservation, sustainable tourism, and cultural preservation.
Since joining, Tanzania has successfully registered seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, representing a rich mix of natural wonders, archaeological treasures, and cultural landscapes that capture the country’s diverse history and ecology.
These sites include:
-
Serengeti National Park – famed for its spectacular wildlife migrations.
-
Ngorongoro Conservation Area – home to the Ngorongoro Crater and deep human origins.
-
Kilimanjaro National Park – Africa’s highest peak and a global climbing landmark.
-
Selous Game Reserve (now part of Nyerere National Park) – one of the world’s largest faunal reserves.
-
Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara – ancient Swahili trade settlements.
-
Kondoa Rock-Art Sites – prehistoric paintings that reveal early human creativity.
-
Stone Town of Zanzibar – a cultural crossroads of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences.
These sites have long positioned Tanzania as a nation with exceptional contributions to the world’s natural and cultural heritage.
Election to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is a notable recognition. Committee members are responsible for evaluating new site nominations, monitoring the conservation status of listed properties, and shaping global heritage policy. Tanzania’s election signals the trust placed in its conservation leadership, technical expertise, and long-standing commitment to protecting heritage sites.
The 2025–2029 tenure offers Tanzania a strategic opportunity to:
-
Influence global decisions on heritage protection.
-
Advocate for African perspectives in international heritage governance.
-
Strengthen regional collaboration in conservation and cultural preservation.
-
Showcase its own achievements in heritage management.
Tanzania’s election comes at a time when global attention continues to grow around issues of environmental sustainability, indigenous knowledge preservation, and inclusive heritage management. As home to some of the world’s most iconic sites, Tanzania’s voice on the Committee is expected to bring valuable insights, especially regarding balancing conservation and community development.
This achievement is also likely to enhance Tanzania’s global visibility, potentially boosting tourism, research partnerships, and international investment in heritage conservation.
As Tanzania prepares to begin its term on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the country stands poised to contribute meaningfully to safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural treasures. Its experience managing diverse heritage sites positions it well to take on the responsibilities of guiding international heritage decisions over the next four years.
For Tanzania, this is more than an election; it is a reaffirmation of its role as a global steward of heritage and a proud custodian of some of the planet’s most extraordinary places.
