(By You Xiaochun/Fujian Daily) -- On July 7th, the opening ceremony of the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum (WHSMF 2021) organized within the framework of the Extended 44th Session of the World Heritage Committee was held online in Fuzhou. His Excellency Mr. Tian Xuejun, Vice Minister of Education, Chairperson of the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO and Chairperson of the extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, Dr. Mechtild Rössler, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, and others attended the ceremony and delivered speeches via video conference. Mr. Lin Baojin, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech.

Mr. Tian Xuejun said that world heritage is the common treasure cherished by mankind and needs to be jointly conserved by the international community, including governments, localities, non-governmental organizations, professional institutions, and international organizations. The frontline managers of world heritage sites in particular need to play an important role. At present, the conservation and sustainable development of world heritage face threats and challenges from climate change, natural disasters, population growth, over-exploitation of natural resources, and chaos caused by wars, which have raised higher requirements for the global world heritage governance. It is hoped that global heritage site managers and stakeholders will strengthen cross-cultural dialogue and interdisciplinary capacity building, play an active guiding role, better protect their outstanding universal values based on the characteristics and development needs of world heritage sites, and promote the sustainable development of world heritage sites.

Mr. Lin Baojin said that Fujian was the important place where Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was conceived and first implemented. The spectacular and magnificent natural landscape, and diversified regional culture have given birth to the colorful natural and cultural heritage. It is hoped that through the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum, we can learn from advanced international concepts and practical experience to inject new vitality into the thousand-year-long cultural and natural heritage of Fuzhou and beyond; build a more open and efficient platform for international exchanges and cooperation to promote exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations. With joint exploration, practice and innovation, the cultural and natural heritage which belongs to all mankind will shine brighter in the new century and make greater contributions to the progress of human civilization.

It is learned that the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum organized within the framework of the extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee will be held until July 13, 2021. During the Forum, about 100 representatives of heritage site management institutions from 55 countries around the world will conduct online discussions on world heritage governance under the theme of "World Heritage governance – Being prepared to manage change and continuity", and finally form a forum declaration and submit it to the session.