| New Year Message | UNESCO World Heritage Centre for Training and Research in the Asia and Pacific Region (Shanghai) Extends to You Its Sincere New Year Wishes! |
| PublishDate：2026-01-05 Hits：71 |
2026 New Year Message
Dear colleagues, partners, and young friends in the World Heritage community, As the year turns and a new chapter begins, I am honoured to extend, on behalf of the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (WHITR-AP), our warmest New Year greetings to Asia-Pacific and global heritage custodians, heritage conservation specialists, experts, scholars, practitioners, and all friends who care for and support the protection and transmission of World Heritage.
In 2025, guided by WHITR-AP’s four strategic priorities, we made steady progress in heritage conservation and sustainable development. We launched the “World Heritage Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" series. Through international side-events, network annual meetings, and case-collection initiatives, we promoted deeper integration of heritage conservation with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We strengthened capacity-building by delivering a series of World Heritage workshops across the Asia-Pacific, as well as advanced training programmes on historic building conservation and restoration, bringing together participants and experts from multiple countries to cultivate professional capacity for heritage sites in the region and beyond.
We supported implementation of the World Heritage Convention by providing technical expertise for nominations, advancing research on interpretation and site management, and assisting transnational and serial nomination efforts. We expanded international cooperation through the consolidation of the International Network for Urban–Rural Heritage Conservation in Higher Education Institutions (UHC-HEI Network) and by deepening partnerships with global institutions. Working closely with heritage sites, we organized international workcamps, youth study tours, and exchange programmes for young heritage practitioners, enabling young people to become a vital driving force for the transmission and sustainable future of heritage.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the close collaboration of our partners, the strong commitment of the younger generation, and the sustained recognition of heritage values by all stakeholders.
In 2026, we will further strengthen cooperation with UNESCO, UN-Habitat, and the World Heritage Advisory Bodies, pursuing closer dialogue and more innovative practice to address contemporary challenges such as climate change and urban–rural development. We will work through university platforms and professional networks to deliver international training, advance transnational cooperation and joint research, and deepen efforts on community resilience and the coordinated safeguarding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Through academic publishing, international exhibitions, youth education, and public engagement, we will continue to strengthen disciplinary capacity and build platforms for cross-cultural dialogue and knowledge sharing, allowing World Heritage to flourish anew through dedicated stewardship.
May the blossoms of intercultural exchange continue to flourish, and may the path of heritage conservation extend far into the future. With passion and steadfast commitment as our brush, and cooperation and innovation as our ink, let us together write a new chapter in the safeguarding and sustainable development of World Heritage.
Wishing you a joyful and prosperous New Year, good health, every success, and the fulfillment of your aspirations.
Shao Yong
Secretary-General
World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (WHITR-AP)
January 1, 2026
|
|
|
- New Year Message | UNESCO World Heritage Centre for Training and Research in the Asia and Pacific Region (Shanghai) Extends to You Its Sincere New Year Wishes!
- Review | Cooperation between Xiamen, CNR and WHITR-AP Shanghai
- Review | Yunlong International Workshop on Vernacular Heritage
- Review | The Heritage Educational Landscape Exhibition
- Review ｜ UHC-HEI 1st General Assembly
- Summary |2025 "Prosperity & Livelihoods" Good Practices recognized in Liangzhu, China—Jointly Mapping a path for integrating heritage and sustainable development
Copyright © 2009-2012 World Heritage Institute of Training and Research-Asia and Pacific (shanghai)