Busan—Korea IT Times Reporting Team
President Lee Jae Myung delivers opening remarks at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee at BEXCO in Busan on July 19. / Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee opened at BEXCO in Busan on July 19, marking the first time South Korea has hosted the committee since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1988. Bringing together representatives from 196 States Parties, the UNESCO Director-General, and approximately 3,000 heritage experts and officials, the meeting positions Korea at the center of global discussions on cultural and natural heritage conservation.
More than a diplomatic gathering, the session provides South Korea with an opportunity to showcase the value of K-Heritage while contributing to the future direction of international heritage preservation.
President Lee Jae Myung said in his opening address that World Heritage "is not merely a legacy of the past, but a symbol of peace that unites humanity," calling for closer international cooperation to build a more sustainable future through culture.
Senior UNESCO officials and delegates from member states also praised South Korea's preparations and emphasized the significance of holding the committee in Busan.
Key agenda and Korea's leadership
The committee's primary responsibility is to examine 33 nominations and modification requests for inscription on the World Heritage List.
South Korea is seeking approval to expand its existing Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats World Heritage property by adding four additional coastal wetlands. The proposal has received a favorable recommendation from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), increasing the likelihood of its adoption during the session.
Delegates will also review more than 147 state-of-conservation reports, discuss the protection of World Heritage sites facing conflict or environmental threats, and consider measures to strengthen support for developing countries.
Former Korean Ambassador to UNESCO Lee Byong-hyun is serving as chair of the committee, with South Korea leading negotiations and facilitating consensus among member states. The Korea Heritage Service and the Busan Metropolitan Government coordinated preparations, including venue operations, infrastructure upgrades, and participant support through an interagency task force backed by approximately KRW 17.9 billion (US$13 million) in funding.
Economic and cultural impact
The arrival of roughly 3,000 international delegates is expected to provide a meaningful boost to Busan's local economy throughout the committee session.
A wide range of accompanying events—including the K-Heritage House, an exhibition venue covering an area roughly equivalent to two football fields, together with citywide cultural performances and heritage programs—aim to introduce Korean cultural heritage to international visitors while promoting tourism.
Busan also plans to leverage the committee as a long-term legacy project, seeking to establish itself as a regional hub for international heritage cooperation through future global heritage forums and closer collaboration with UNESCO.
Experts say the meeting represents more than a successful international event. It offers South Korea an opportunity to demonstrate its heritage management capabilities while reinforcing the role of cultural heritage in advancing peace, sustainability, and international cooperation.
The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will continue through July 29, with final decisions to be announced through UNESCO's official channels.
