On the official page of the Presidency of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa published two notes regarding decisions made today by UNESCO.
“The Bijagós Islands, a place of rare beauty and immense natural value, provide sanctuary to numerous rare species. Their conservation has been a focus of Portuguese cooperation in the country,” reads the note dedicated to these islands.
The head of state congratulated Guinea-Bissau “for this inclusion in the World Heritage list, a moment of great relevance for this brotherly country.”
Regarding the Maputo National Park’s designation as a World Heritage Site, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated that it is “a well-deserved recognition for the protection and conservation efforts – which include Portuguese cooperation – of an area of exceptional natural value.”
“The President of the Republic commends the commendable nature conservation efforts and the reduction of pressure on natural resources undertaken by Mozambique, which also involves local communities,” he added.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed the Maputo National Park as a World Heritage site today.
The inscription was adopted this morning during the organization’s 47th meeting, held in Paris, with UNESCO highlighting that the Maputo National Park “includes terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems, and hosts nearly 5,000 species.”
The Bijagós Islands in Guinea-Bissau have been elevated to World Natural Heritage, becoming the first site in the African country to join UNESCO’s list.
The decision was announced this morning in Paris, France, during the 47th meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which continues until the 16th at the organization’s headquarters in the French capital.
