UNESCO adds 25 new World Heritage Sites including Mount Olympus, Normandy's D-Day beaches

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee (WHC) added 25 new sites to its World Heritage List during its 48th session in Busan, South Korea. These sites, recognized for their "outstanding universal value," span various categories including cultural, natural, and mixed. While the designation boosts tourism and offers access to international support, host countries retain full responsibility for their protection. UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany stated, "Heritage is a force for cohesion and empowerment."

• Greece's Mount Olympus, a mixed site, was recognized for its mythological significance and diverse ecosystem, including over 1,700 plant species.
• The Normandy D-Day Beaches in France were designated for their "exceptional cultural landscape shaped both by the events of 1944 and by their enduring remembrance," marking a pivotal moment in World War II.
• Jordan's Aqaba Marine Reserve, the world's northernmost tropical coral reef system, was added for its rich biodiversity, including over 150 coral species and 500 fish species.
• Iran's Alamūt Castle and Related Fortifications, a former center of the Nizari Isma'ilism movement, were recognized for their historical and architectural significance, with archaeologist Hamideh Choubak credited for 25 years of dedicated work on the site.