Lee Byong-hyun, South Korea's former ambassador to UNESCO, has been selected to lead the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee when it convenes in Busan next July. The appointment marks a significant achievement for South Korea as it prepares to host this prestigious international cultural heritage gathering for the first time.
UNESCO officially announced Lee's election during a special session of the 20th World Heritage Committee held in Paris on Tuesday. The South Korean government had put forward Lee's candidacy, highlighting his extensive background and deep expertise in UNESCO-related matters. His selection represents recognition of both his individual qualifications and South Korea's growing influence in international cultural preservation efforts.
Lee brings substantial experience to his new role, having served as South Korea's permanent representative to UNESCO from 2015 to 2019. During his four-year tenure at the international organization, he demonstrated strong leadership capabilities by chairing the UNESCO Executive Board from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, he presided over the 12th Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2017, showcasing his expertise in cultural preservation matters.
At the Paris session, Huh Min, who serves as director of the Korea Heritage Service and leads the South Korean delegation, delivered remarks emphasizing his country's significant contributions to the World Heritage Convention. He also made a commitment to collaborate closely with UNESCO to guarantee the success of next year's important meeting in Busan.
The organizational structure of the World Heritage Committee includes a bureau composed of one chairperson, five vice-chairpersons, and one rapporteur. Traditionally, the chair position is filled by a representative from the host country, while the vice-chairs are selected to ensure representation from different regional groups around the world. This bureau plays a crucial role in overseeing the agenda, scheduling, and proceedings of the committee's various sessions throughout the year.
The World Heritage Committee operates under the authority of the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. This committee holds the responsibility for making critical decisions regarding the inscription, conservation, and protection of both cultural and natural heritage sites across the globe. Its work is essential in preserving humanity's most valuable cultural and natural treasures for future generations.
The upcoming session in Busan is expected to draw approximately 3,000 participants from around the world. This impressive gathering will include official delegations from all 196 signatory states to the World Heritage Convention, representatives from various international organizations, and members of non-governmental organizations focused on heritage preservation. The event represents a milestone for South Korea, as it will be the first time the country has hosted a meeting of the World Heritage Committee.
The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is scheduled to take place from July 19 to 29 in Busan, which is located 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul. This southeastern coastal city will serve as the backdrop for important discussions and decisions that will shape the future of global heritage conservation efforts.
