The iconic cliff-top village becomes Tunisia’s tenth UNESCO-listed site following unanimous committee decision in South Korea
In a landmark cultural victory for North Africa, the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Saïd has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, following a unanimous vote by the World Heritage Committee during its 48th session in Busan, Republic of Korea.
The decision, announced July, 2026, caps a meticulous two-year nomination process initiated by Tunisian President Kais Saied in February 2024 and represents a significant diplomatic triumph for the North African nation.
A Decade of Heritage: Tunisia’s Cultural Milestone
With this latest inscription, Tunisia now boasts ten UNESCO World Heritage properties, positioning itself among the most richly represented Arab and African nations across the organisation’s various designation lists.
The village’s recognition adds to an impressive roster that includes the archaeological sites of Carthage, the amphitheatre of El Jem, and the medina of Tunis, among others.
Behind the Nomination: A Coordinated National Effort
The successful bid was the result of extensive inter-ministerial collaboration, with Tunisia’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the National Heritage Institute (INP) spearheading the comprehensive nomination dossier. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad provided crucial coordination and monitoring throughout the process.
The submission also benefited from sustained diplomatic engagement, with Tunisia’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO orchestrating a concerted lobbying effort among World Heritage Committee member states.
“Outstanding Universal Value” Recognised
Addressing the committee prior to the vote, Ambassador Dhia Khaled, Tunisia’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and head of the Tunisian delegation, expressed profound gratitude to member states while underscoring the village’s extraordinary significance.
“Sidi Bou Saïd represents far more than a picturesque destination,” Ambassador Khaled stated. “It stands as a renowned centre of artistic, spiritual, and architectural inspiration—a living testament to Tunisia’s rich cultural tapestry.”
The ambassador emphasised that heritage preservation remains an ongoing national commitment, declaring, “This inscription is not an end in itself, but rather a continuous pledge by Tunisia to safeguard all dimensions of our heritage—cultural, natural, intangible, and documentary.”
A Historic Year for Tunisian Heritage
Remarkably, 2026 has proven exceptional for Tunisia’s international recognition, with the nation securing two major UNESCO designations within a span of just three months. The “Dahar” Geopark was inducted into the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in April, followed by July’s World Heritage listing for Sidi Bou Saïd.
The 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, convening from July 19-29, 2026, in South Korea’s second-largest city, brought together international delegates to evaluate cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value from across the globe.
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