Istanbul to host UNESCO World Heritage meeting in 2027

Türkiye has begun preparations to host the 49th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Istanbul in 2027, during Türkiye’s chairmanship of the committee.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy met with Prof. Dr. M. Öcal Oğuz, President of the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, to discuss preparations for the event, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ersoy said the meeting, to be hosted by Türkiye, would make an important contribution to strengthening international cooperation in implementing the World Heritage Convention and developing new approaches to protecting shared heritage.

The meeting addressed key aspects of the preparations, including organization, transportation, communications and side events. Ersoy instructed officials to ensure that Türkiye’s hosting of the event is also turned into a strong opportunity to promote the country internationally.

International media and promotion to be prioritized

Ersoy called for preparations to begin without delay and said the technical and operational aspects of the event should be handled by experienced professional teams. He stressed the need for all elements of the preparations to be coordinated within a single structure.

The Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) will also be involved in the process to ensure that preparations are completed professionally.

Ersoy requested that the requirements to be communicated by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre be reviewed carefully so that the necessary infrastructure and other needs can be clearly identified.

He also emphasized that the event’s internet infrastructure and other technical systems should be prepared and made operational by professional teams.

Regarding the venue, Ersoy said Istanbul’s existing facilities could meet the requirements for the necessary halls and meeting spaces.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining direct and rapid communication with UNESCO teams and ensuring that the process proceeds without disruption.

World media to be brought to Istanbul

Ersoy emphasized that Türkiye should make strong use of the international attention generated by the World Heritage Committee meeting to promote the country.

He called for international media interest in the event to be used as an opportunity to showcase Türkiye’s cultural heritage to audiences around the world, with promotional activities and content designed to attract media attention.

Ersoy said the meeting should not be viewed simply as an organizational event. He called for special activities that would allow Türkiye to highlight its own cultural heritage, as well as efforts to protect and promote it.

Cooperation planned to prevent disruptions

Ersoy stressed the importance of completing preparations well in advance, particularly regarding transportation and organizational arrangements.

He also highlighted the need for close cooperation between relevant institutions in preparing for the transportation and movement of delegations attending the meeting in Istanbul.

Broad organizational structure planned

Preparations for the 49th session of the World Heritage Committee in Istanbul in 2027 are planned to be carried out through a broad organizational structure.

Under a plan prepared by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, consultations with relevant institutions are expected to take place after the World Heritage Centre provides the agreement document and Statement of Requirements. A protocol defining responsibilities is also expected to be signed.

The task force is planned to include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Istanbul Governor’s Office, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO and other relevant authorities.

International broadcasting infrastructure to be established

One of the key elements of the preparations will be selecting a congress center capable of meeting the infrastructure and capacity requirements specified by the World Heritage Centre.

Plans also include creating a website suitable for an international event of this scale, establishing a registration and accreditation system, and developing international broadcasting infrastructure to enable live streaming of the sessions.

Preparations are also expected to cover security measures, waste management and environmental safeguards, emergency medical and first-aid services, as well as accessibility and facilities for people with disabilities, in line with requirements set by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Special side events dedicated to World Heritage will also form an important part of the program. These events are expected to give states parties, UNESCO, advisory bodies, civil society organizations, experts and other institutions an opportunity to present projects, exchange experiences and promote initiatives related to World Heritage.

Special UNESCO publication on türkiye’s world heritage

A special edition of UNESCO’s World Heritage magazine is also planned, featuring a dedicated section on sites in Türkiye included on the World Heritage List. The publication is expected to be printed in English, French and Turkish.

A World Heritage site from Türkiye is also being considered for inclusion in the World Heritage Map, one of the organization’s key popular promotional materials, which is planned to be published in English, French and Spanish.

The meeting will include more than committee sessions. The program is expected to feature opening and closing ceremonies as well as various activities for participants.

A World Heritage Young Professionals Forum and a World Heritage Site Managers Forum are also planned to take place alongside the committee meeting.

Photo: Chat GPT