Global cooperation urged at UNESCO conference to safeguard Anuradhapura’s heritage

Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the critical importance of global solidarity and international cooperation in protecting the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In an inaugural address at the International Expert Conference held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on April 1, 2025, Azoulay highlighted that the conference’s purpose was to explore new approaches for the conservation and sustainable development of this extraordinary heritage site.
The conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, aimed to raise awareness about the universal significance of Anuradhapura and its associated living heritage, while seeking international collaboration for its preservation. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya of Sri Lanka attended the high-level segment of the conference during her official visit to France from March 31 to April 2, 2025.
Azoulay recalled her own visit to Sri Lanka in July 2024, where she had the opportunity to witness firsthand the “exceptional heritage” of Anuradhapura, describing it as “a spiritual hub, a royal capital of over a thousand years, and the birthplace of Theravada Buddhism.”
During the high-level segment, Prime Minister Amarasuriya outlined Sri Lanka’s vision to preserve Anuradhapura’s global heritage for educational purposes, pilgrimage, and heritage tourism. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between conservation, sustainable development, and the needs of local communities. The Prime Minister also expressed her gratitude to Azoulay for her leadership and vision, which played a key role in organizing the conference.