Regional Challenges
The non-Sahel West Africa region has abundant tangible and intangible cultural resources, including 12 World Heritage Sites (6 Cultural Sites and 6 Natural Sites, see the table below). However, inadequate funds and capacities for safeguarding these cultural properties as well as taking advantage of them to boost economic increase through developing tourism and creating culture-related jobs, enable intercultural dialogue, promote social cohesion as well as encourage mutual respect and a culture of peace.
Thematic Areas of Culture Sector
UNESCO Abuja Office is committed to ensuring that culture becomes the enabler and driver of sustainable development through the effective implementation of the standard-setting instruments enshrined in the six UNESCO Culture Conventions. The Sector strategy comprises promoting, protecting, and transmitting tangible and intangible cultural heritage by creating awareness and building capacities of the countries in the region through the following activities:
- Promotion of cultural and creative industries as a means for revenue generation and job creation
- Conservation of cultural and natural heritage sites
- Combatting of Illicit traffic of cultural properties
- Identification and safeguarding of Intangible cultural heritage