UNESCO adds Greece's Mount Olympus, ancient Japanese capitals to World Heritage List

Seoul, South Korea: UNESCO has added Greece's Mount Olympus, Japan's ancient capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara, and South Sudan's Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape to its World Heritage List during a committee meeting in Busan, South Korea. The World Heritage Committee, which is reviewing dozens of nominations through Wednesday, approved the new inscriptions on Sunday. Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and the mythical home of the 12 Olympian gods, was recognised as a mixed cultural and natural heritage site following a 12-year campaign by Greece. Rising 2,918 metres above sea level, Mount Olympus is closely associated with ancient Greek mythology and is regarded as the throne of Zeus, king of the gods. The mountain is also known for its rich biodiversity. Evangelos Geroliolios, Mayor of Dion-Olympus, said the designation carries greater responsibility for protecting the area, particularly in light of potential increases in tourism. "We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to safeguarding Mount Olympus for the benefit of present and future generations," said Georgios Koumoutsakos, Greece's delegate to UNESCO. In Japan, UNESCO recognised 19 archaeological sites linked to the ancient capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara in Nara Prefecture. Dating from the sixth to eighth centuries, the sites preserve the remains of royal palaces, government buildings, temples and tombs from a period when Japan established its first centralised state, influenced by Chinese administrative systems. Japanese Culture Minister Kobayashi Shigeki welcomed the decision, saying the country remained committed to preserving the sites for future generations. Archaeology professor Yoshiyuki Aihara of Nara University said the sites are important because they illustrate how Japan's early state was shaped by influences from China and the Korean Peninsula. South Sudan also celebrated its first addition to the World Heritage List with the inscription of the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape. The vast ecosystem of wetlands, floodplains and savannas supports one of the world's largest land mammal migrations, involving an estimated six million white-eared kob, tiang and Mongalla gazelles. The area is also home to elephants, lions, cheetahs and other wildlife, while supporting local communities that have relied on herding, farming and fishing for generations. The UNESCO committee meeting is taking place in the South Korean port city of Busan and continues through July 29.