Gedeo cultural landscape inscribed in the UNESCO world heritage list

Addis Ababa, September 17, 2023 (FBC) – The Gedeo cultural landscape in the Gedeo zone, South Ethiopia region, has been registered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Following recommendations and detailed evaluations, the cultural landscape of Gedeo has been registered by UNESCO at the 45th extended session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Following the entry of Gedeo cultural landscapes’ entry into UNESCO’s heritage site, the number of UNESCO-inscribed cultural and natural heritages in Ethiopia has reached 10, the 100th in Africa, according to the Ministry of Tourism of Ethiopia.

The Gedeo Cultural Landscape’s entry into the list of UNESCO heritage sites comes 12 years after Konso was registered the UN agency.

Early in August, Head of Gedeo Zone Department of Culture and Tourism, Yoseph Maru told Fana Broadcasting Corporate that efforts were being made to realize the registration of the Gedeo community’s land management, historical artifacts, stelae, cave inscriptions and traditionally managed forests under UNESCO.

According to Mr. Yoseph, experts and stakeholders of the zone have been working diligently for the registration of the Gedeo cultural landscape by the UN agency. Indicating the Gedeo community’s land management as one of the prospects to be inscribed by UNESCO, Yoseph said that there are historical artifacts, stelae, cave inscriptions, and traditionally-managed forests that are manifestations of ancient civilization.

Local and foreign experts have been participating in the process, he pointed out, disclosing that the documents required for registration by UNESCO have been prepared.

There are about 10,000 stelae in the Gedeo zone, which are believed to be the oldest in East Africa, have been selected for registration, he said.

It is believed that the registration of the site as world heritage will be vital in boosting tourism sector in Ethiopia.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture.

The Axum Obelisk and Lalibela Monolithic churches are among the most famous UNESCO-inscribed world heritages in Ethiopia. The Fasil Gebbi and Harrar Jugol are also the most iconic manifestations of Ethiopia’s ancient civilization.

Konso Cultural Landscape, Lower Valley of the Awash, Lower Valley of the Omo, Simien National Park, and Tiya Stelae are the other UNESCO-registered world heritage sites located in Ethiopia.