Egypt attends World Heritage Committee session in Poland

CAIRO – 3 July 2017: General Supervisor of the International Organizations for Cultural Heritage Yasmin El-Shazly will represent Egypt as an affiliate of the Ministry of Antiquities at the 41st Session of the annual World Heritage Committee organized by UNESCO in Poland on Monday.

Approximately 21 countries are participating in the forum that is taking place between July 2 and July 12. The attending countries are members of an agreement with UNESCO signed in 1972 that concerns the preservation of world cultural heritage, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Antiquities.

El-Shazly mentioned in the statement that member countries will gather to discuss and follow up on the maintenance of antiquity sites included on the World Heritage List. The committee is also expected to review the status of Egyptian archeological sites and follow up on the ministry’s role in safeguarding these areas of cultural importance.

Some of the antiquities sites in Egypt such as the Monastery of Abu Mina in West Alexandria are at risk, therefore the monastery’s status will be discussed in the meeting, added El-Shazly, while emphasizing Egypt’s role in preserving Arab heritage in the region.