Tiang in Boma and Badingilo National Parks, courtesy African Parks/© Marcus Westberg

The Minister of Culture and National Heritage has hailed the inscription of the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a victory for the people of South Sudan and a significant contribution to shared heritage.

Minister Sarah Nyanath Elijah made the remarks after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed the ecologically rich landmark, making it South Sudan’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Speaking in Busan, South Korea, during the inscription ceremony, Minister Nyanath said the historic achievement has placed South Sudan on the global stage.

“This inscription is not only a victory for our people, but also a contribution to humanity, shared heritage, and our collective responsibility to protect it. We pay tribute to our local communities whose generation stewardship safeguarded this exceptional heritage,” she hailed.

She paid tribute to local communities around Boma-Badingilo for safeguarding the site over the years.

According to the minister, the stewardship of local communities played a vital role in protecting the heritage site, ensuring its preservation for future generations and contributing to South Sudan’s historic achievement.

“South Sudan accepts this honor with humility and responsibility which accompanies it, the inscription of the property strengthens our resolve to work with UNESCO and International community to conserve its outstanding value to the present and future generations,” she said.

South Sudan has also submitted two other important landmarks for recognition: the Sudd wetland and the Deim Zubeir–Slave Route.