Minister Bernstein leads Seychelles delegation to the 48th Session of the Unesco World Heritage Committee |22 July 2026
Minister Bernstein
The Minister for Tourism & Culture, Amanda Bernstein, is leading a Seychelles delegation to the 48th Session of the Unesco World Heritage Committee, to be held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from July 21 to 30, 2026.
Accompanying the minister are Benjamine Rose, Sophia Rosalie, Julienne Barra and Joshinta Horter, all members of the National Technical Committee responsible for coordinating the preparation of the nomination dossier for the Mission Ruins of Venn's Town. Also forming part of the delegation is Ralph Agrippine, Counsellor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & the Diaspora.
The delegation's participation reflects Seychelles' continued commitment to the implementation of the 1972 Unesco Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and to the conservation, protection and promotion of the country's cultural heritage.
The Mission Ruins of Venn's Town is one of Seychelles' most significant cultural heritage sites, representing an important chapter in the country's history and preserving the legacy of the nineteenth-century mission established for liberated African children. Its nomination reflects Seychelles' ongoing commitment to safeguarding and promoting its cultural heritage in accordance with international standards.
The annual session of the World Heritage Committee brings together States Parties to the Convention to consider matters relating to its implementation, including the examination of nominations submitted by States Parties, the conservation of World Heritage properties, and international cooperation in heritage management.
During the session, the Seychelles delegation will participate in meetings of the Committee and engage in technical discussions and bilateral meetings with Unesco officials, advisory bodies and international partners. These engagements will provide opportunities to exchange knowledge, strengthen international cooperation, and enhance national capacity in the fields of heritage conservation and management.
The delegation will also follow discussions relating to the Mission Ruins of Venn's Town nomination, which is currently progressing through Unesco's established evaluation process. The participation of the National Technical Committee members will support ongoing technical exchanges and provide an opportunity to engage with the relevant advisory bodies on procedural and technical aspects of the nomination.
The Ministry of Tourism & Culture remains committed to working closely with Unesco and its advisory bodies throughout the evaluation process while continuing national efforts to safeguard, conserve and promote the Mission Ruins of Venn's Town as an important part of Seychelles' cultural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.
Press release – Ministry of Tourism & Culture