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UNESCO contributes to coordination in the Greater Lumbini Area (GLA) in multiple ways, a key one being through the annual meetings of the International Scientific Committee (ISC) for the conservation and management of Lumbini. The meetings provide a platform for the area’s concerned stakeholders, making sure that the major interests of the site are not in conflict with each other, but develop in harmony.

Continuing the success of previous gatherings, this year’s ISC meeting will be held on 17 and 18 March at the Hotel Buddhamaya Garden in Lumbini.

The meeting advises the Government of Nepal and UNESCO on the technical progress of operations carried out for the strengthening, conservation and management of the Lumbini World Heritage Site, as well as other sites in the GLA.

A workshop on the World Heritage nomination process focusing on Tilaurakot-Kapilavastu, facilitated by Professor Yukio Nishimura of Japan, will also be held on 16 March in Lumbini, which will provide valuable information on the procedures and preparations for a nomination dossier.

These events are being organized as part of the Japanese Government-sponsored UNESCO project for , which is being implemented in collaboration with Nepal’s Department of Archaeology and the Lumbini Development Trust. UNESCO’s ongoing efforts have already achieved significant results in the GLA.

Representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Department of Archaeology and the Lumbini Development Trust, the Ministry of Urban Development, the Ministry of Environment, donors and international organizations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Korea International Cooperation Agency, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, World Wildlife Fund, and international and national experts in archaeology, conservation, urban planning, environment, tourism and heritage management are invited to attend the meeting. In addition, representatives from the Buddhist community are also invited, in order to propagate further understanding of the needs of Buddhist pilgrims and communities.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its global impact on travel, a large number of participants, including some international experts, will participate remotely. Despite the limitations posed by the pandemic, the ISC will continue to work together to reinforce mutual understanding and cooperation between people, most notably the area’s concerned stakeholders.

Kathmandu, 15 March 2021

Press Release UNESCO/KAT 01/2021