President Lee Jae Myung on July 19 gives a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony for the annual session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan.

By Hong Angie
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

The annual session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee kicked off on July 19 at the convention center BEXCO in Busan's Haeundae-gu District, championing the preservation of world heritage and international cooperation.

Hosted by Korea for the first time, the event is expected to serve as a major milestone in devising shared solutions to the crises humanity faces, including the climate crisis and armed conflict, by harnessing culture as a key unlocking solidarity.

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) said 2,929 people from 155 countries attended the opening ceremony that day at 6 p.m. at BEXCO including President Lee Jae Myung, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, KHS Administrator Huh Min and Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo.

President Lee welcomed the visiting delegations in a congratulatory address, underscoring the importance of dialogue and global cooperation through culture and heritage in an era marked by conflict and division. He also expressed the country's commitment to connecting the world through the power of culture and leading the way toward peace and cooperation jointly with UNESCO.

He said it is no coincidence that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is holding its annual session in Korea this year, which marks the 150th birthday of Baekbeom Kim Koo (Kim Gu). Kim was a politician and activist who fought for Korean independence from Japanese colonial rule in the early 20th century.

President Lee added that the spirit of the UNESCO Charter, which urges the building of a bulwark of peace in the minds of people, points exactly to the same vision as that of Kim, who tried to achieve peace through culture and foster harmony among humanity.

He pledged to work with UNESCO to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for humanity in solidarity with the world, saying he hopes for the session to become a new milestone for the preservation of World Heritage and international cooperation.

The events held before and after the ceremony included official and welcoming receptions, preliminary activities and performances.

An opening performance under the theme "A Roof Embracing the Sky, Resonance Across Generations" began with a reenactment of opening the gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace by the royal guards and showcased contemporary interpretations of traditional dances such as ilmu (traditional synchronized dance), shintaepyeongmu, a modern interpretation of taepyeongmu (traditional peace dance) and ganggangsullae (women's circle dance and song).

K-pop artist G-Dragon, the committee's honorary ambassador, appeared during the performance to convey a message of peace, saying, "Preserving our heritage isn't only about preserving the past; it's also about building peace for the future." He also expressed hope that the small acts for World Heritage protection starting in Busan will develop into a greater peace that connects the world.

The K-Heritage House, a Korea-themed pavilion, will run throughout the session at BEXCO's Exhibition Center 1 to display the country's cultural heritage through exhibitions, events and performances.

The facility is open to all domestic and foreign visitors to BEXCO during the session period. The KHS also pledged to work with relevant agencies to ensure a safe event through its conclusion on July 29.

President Lee Jae Myung (right) on July 19 shakes hands with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany before the opening ceremony for this year's annual session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan.