October 19‑20, 2025, the “UNESCO‑China‑Africa World Heritage Capacity Building Workshop,” jointly organised by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Fujian Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage, and the Quanzhou Municipal People’s Government, was successfully held in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province. This event aimed to promote in‑depth cooperation between China and Africa in World Heritage nomination, protection, management, and capacity building, and to assist Africa in enhancing its heritage protection standards. Nearly 100 representatives from government agencies, heads of international organisations, experts, scholars, and practitioners in the heritage field from China, UNESCO, and Africa participated in the workshop.
Workshop poster
The workshop focused on three core themes: strengthening World Heritage nomination capacity building, digital innovation for heritage protection and management, and World Heritage education and university cooperation. In‑depth discussions were held specifically on World Heritage authenticity and promoting African World Heritage nominations, as well as on potential nomination projects from African countries such as Cabo Verde, Nigeria, Burundi, the Republic of the Congo, and Tanzania, exploring how to carry out subsequent nomination work.
Scene of the workshop
The Beijing Branch actively participated in the various discussions and exchanges of this workshop. Deputy Director Song Feng participated in two roundtable discussions: “Implementing the Nairobi Outcomes Document to Promote African Nominations and Capacity Building” and “Potential Nomination Projects from Under‑represented African Countries.” Together with experts from Kenya, Comoros, Mali and other countries, he explored the pathways and challenges for African World Heritage nominations and capacity building, sharing China’s experiences and practices in heritage nomination and management.
Song Feng, Deputy Director of the Beijing Branch, speaking
Executive Director Li Guanghan participated in the roundtable discussion “World Heritage Education and University Cooperation,” engaging in in‑depth exchanges on the development of the World Heritage education system, youth cultivation, and university cooperation. She introduced Peking University’s explorations and practices in promoting heritage education and international cooperation.
Li Guanghan, Executive Director of the Beijing Branch, speaking
Through this workshop, China and Africa further consolidated the foundation for cooperation in the field of World Heritage protection and capacity building. The Beijing Branch will take this opportunity to focus on higher education and capacity building between Chinese and African universities, strengthen cooperation with African countries in World Heritage protection, academic research, and talent cultivation, and promote the construction of a closer China‑Africa heritage cooperation network.
