32 young heritage experts from around the world to tour Korea's UNESCO sites

Young heritage professionals from around the world are visiting Korea to tour its UNESCO World Heritage sites and discuss the role of youth in their preservation.

The Cultural Heritage Administration, the Korean National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre are holding the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum on Monday at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The World Heritage Young Professionals Forum, held as an official pre-event of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee since 1995, is being organized in conjunction with the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which opens in Busan on Sunday.

Thirty-two young heritage professionals between the ages of 23 and 32, selected from 30 countries, will tour World Heritage sites in and around Seoul, Suwon, Gyeongju and Busan through July 21. They will visit some of Korea's most prominent World Heritage sites — including Changdeokgung Palace, Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, Bulguksa Temple and the Gyeongju Historic Areas — and take part in a range of programs including lectures by domestic and international experts and group activities.

Under the theme "World Heritage, Communities and Education: Empowering Youth as Agents of Change," participants will explore community- and people-centered approaches to World Heritage management, capacity-building in World Heritage education, research and learning, and the role of youth as key stakeholders in World Heritage.

Drawing on their experiences and discussions at the forum, participants plan to draft a Youth Declaration capturing young people's insights on World Heritage and present it officially at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session on July 20.

Cultural Heritage Administration Commissioner Heo Min is expected to encourage the participants at the opening ceremony, saying the forum "will be an opportunity for young heritage professionals gathered from around the world to build their capacity to protect and manage World Heritage sites, drawing on fresh perspectives and passion."

Hong Hyeon-ik, secretary-general of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, said, "Safeguarding World Heritage is a solid foundation for building walls of peace in the hearts of people around the world," adding that he hopes "the forum will be a place to confirm the oneness of humanity across borders."

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee session runs in Busan from Sunday through July 29. It is an international conference where delegations from countries around the world gather to discuss the conservation and management of cultural, natural and mixed heritage. About 3,000 people are expected to attend this year's session, including delegations from 196 countries and representatives of the 21 states parties to the World Heritage Convention.