Zambia submits Barotse plains cultural landscape for UNESCO world heritage status

Zambia has officially submitted the Barotse Plains Cultural Landscape nomination dossier to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in a bid to secure its place on the prestigious World Heritage List. The submission took place during a ceremony in Paris, where Chrissy Hilweele, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Zambia, expressed gratitude to the Barotse Royal Establishment, the Ministry of Tourism, and the National Heritage Conservation Commission for their leadership throughout the nomination process. Hilweele also acknowledged the support of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, the African World Heritage Fund, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

He noted that the Barotse Plains Cultural Landscape was a site of deep cultural and ecological importance, showcasing the heritage of the Lozi people, their traditional floodplain management systems, and the unique biodiversity of the Zambezi floodplains. He added that the nomination came at a strategic moment, as Zambia prepares to chair the UNESCO Africa Group 5a and serve as Vice Chair of the Bureau at the 47th World Heritage Committee session in Sofia in July 2025. Hilweele said the move strengthens Zambia’s leadership in global heritage conservation and aligned with the country’s efforts to increase its presence on the World Heritage List.

“The Barotse Plains Cultural Landscape was first placed on Zambia’s Tentative List in 2009, signaling the country’s intention to seek UNESCO recognition,” he stated. Hilweele said the dossier had been refined over the years to address recommendations from the World Heritage Committee, with particular focus on community engagement, boundary definition, and sustainable development strategies. Meanwhile, Naomi Mweemba, First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Paris, said a decision on the inscription was expected in 2026 following an evaluation by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

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“If successful, it would become Zambia’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site, joining the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage Site,” she said. Mweemba added that World Heritage status was expected to significantly boost Zambia’s tourism industry by attracting international interest, investment, and economic growth. Similarly, the Ministry of Tourism said it anticipated increased visitor numbers to the region, driving demand for hotels, guided tours, and cultural experiences. “This, in turn, will create jobs and business opportunities for local communities, particularly in Western Province, where the Barotse Plains are located,” it said.

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