South Sudan has taken a significant step in promoting its rich cultural heritage on the international stage after participating in the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Busan, South Korea.
The country’s delegation, led by the Minister of Culture, Museums and National Heritage, Sarah Nyanath, returned to Juba following the meeting, describing the engagement as a historic milestone in South Sudan’s efforts to preserve, promote and gain international recognition for its cultural identity.
Addressing journalists upon arrival, Minister Nyanath said the delegation’s participation reflected the government’s growing commitment to safeguarding the country’s cultural heritage while strengthening cooperation with the international community through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
She began by expressing gratitude to God for guiding the delegation throughout the journey and thanked the Government of South Sudan, development partners and citizens for their support.
“First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty God for His guidance, protection and abundant blessings throughout this journey, because without Him we may not have reached this moment,” Minister Nyanath said.
She described the mission to Busan as a source of national pride, saying it provided South Sudan with an opportunity to present its cultural heritage to the world while engaging with other member states on the protection and conservation of historical and cultural sites.
“It is with immense joy, great gratitude and profound national pride that I stand before you today as the head of the South Sudan delegation to officially share the wonderful news we have brought back home,” she said.
According to the minister, South Sudan’s presence at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session marked an important chapter in the country’s cultural diplomacy, allowing it to strengthen partnerships with international institutions dedicated to preserving humanity’s shared heritage.
The four-member delegation represented the Republic of South Sudan during the committee session held in Busan on 26 July 2026.
It comprised Minister Sarah Nyanath, Hon. Mabil Dao, His Excellency Benjamin Rafael, Chargé d’Affaires at the South Sudan Embassy in Paris, and Mr. John Pen Dongong.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is responsible for implementing the World Heritage Convention by assessing nominations for inclusion on the World Heritage List, monitoring the conservation status of listed sites and supporting countries in protecting places of outstanding cultural and natural value.
Although South Sudan does not yet have a site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, officials say participation in the committee’s work provides valuable opportunities to strengthen national capacity in heritage management, learn from international best practices and advance future nominations of sites with outstanding universal value.
Minister Nyanath said the government remains committed to protecting the country’s diverse cultural traditions, historical landmarks and archaeological heritage while working with UNESCO and other international partners to ensure they are preserved for future generations.
She noted that South Sudan’s participation also helped raise the country’s international profile by highlighting its unique cultural diversity and reaffirming its willingness to contribute to global efforts aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage.
The delegation’s return marks the conclusion of South Sudan’s participation in one of UNESCO’s most important annual heritage forums, with officials expressing optimism that the engagement will open new opportunities for technical cooperation, capacity building and greater international recognition of the country’s cultural assets.
