Tyre, Lebanon. Photo: Shutterstock The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which met in South Korea yesterday (July 26, 2026), made a series of unusual decisions and added six heritage sites to the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger.
Three of them were even registered as World Heritage Sites for the first time under an "emergency procedure," a rare mechanism reserved for cases where there is an immediate threat to cultural and natural assets of global importance. UNESCO emphasizes that the proliferation of military conflicts, accelerated development, environmental damage, and the climate crisis require urgent intervention to preserve the sites. These are the new World Heritage Sites chosen by UNESCO:
One of the most important savannah areas in Africa, home to the world's largest land mammal migration, the site combines extraordinary biodiversity with a cultural heritage of pastoralist, agricultural and fishing communities that have lived in the area for hundreds and even thousands of years. However, poaching, wildlife trafficking, infrastructure development, security instability and resource scarcity threaten its future, and a state of emergency has been declared.
Five historic castles documenting the development of defense systems in the region from the time of the Crusades to the end of the 19th century. The site has previously received special protection from UNESCO, but the ongoing fighting in Lebanon has caused it heavy damage. The committee determined that immediate intervention is necessary to prevent further damage.
An archaeological site with historical layers extending from the ninth century BC to the Ottoman period. Among the remains is ancient Samaria, the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. UNESCO has warned that the consequences of the conflict in the region and development pressures could damage the integrity of the site.
The site, located on the Crimean peninsula, was added to the list of endangered sites due to the ongoing deterioration of its condition since the beginning of the Russian occupation of the region in 2014. According to UNESCO, new construction and extensive archaeological excavations have damaged the authenticity and integrity of the site, while Ukrainian authorities are unable to ensure its preservation.
Although the historic colonial city has enjoyed progress in the field of preservation in recent years, UNESCO has determined that new construction projects, including the new parliament building and a multi-storey car park, have significantly damaged the historic landscape and heritage values of the place. For this reason, it was decided to place it on the list of sites in danger.
One of the ancient and important cities of the Phoenician world is also joining the list of endangered sites. UNESCO has determined that the ongoing fighting in Lebanon poses a direct threat to the archaeological remains and their preservation. The organization called on all parties involved to "refrain from any action that could cause further damage to the site.