Bangladesh Wins Election to UNESCO World Heritage Committee for First Time

Bangladesh has secured a historic victory in the election to UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The election took place during the 25th General Assembly of the States Parties to the 1972 World Heritage Convention at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Paris confirmed the achievement on Tuesday (25 November). Although there was no seat allocated this year for the Asia-Pacific region—Bangladesh’s designated group—the country boldly contested in the open category and won. This marks the first time in the 53-year history of the Convention that Bangladesh will serve as a committee member, for the 2025–2029 term.

Earlier, on 7 October, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Khondker M. Talha, was elected President of the UNESCO General Conference, defeating candidates from Japan, South Korea, and India. With this latest victory, Bangladesh’s winning streak at UNESCO continues. Since Ambassador Talha took office in November 2021, Bangladesh has contested eight elections at UNESCO and won all of them.

In his immediate reaction, Ambassador Talha said Bangladesh’s success is not an isolated achievement but a reflection of global confidence in the country’s diplomatic strength and leadership. He credited the accomplishment to sustained diplomatic efforts and effective campaigning. He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the UN Wing of the Foreign Ministry, and colleagues at the Bangladesh Embassy in Paris for their support.

Since joining the 1972 World Heritage Convention, Bangladesh has succeeded in listing three cultural and one natural site as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After the Sundarbans was inscribed in 1997, progress had slowed, but this new election result is seen by many as a renewed affirmation of Bangladesh’s global standing and leadership.

The World Heritage Committee election is known to be one of the most competitive within UNESCO. Bangladesh will officially begin its term by attending the Committee’s 48th session in Busan, South Korea, in June 2026.