Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City to Host the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that it will host the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”) at BEXCO from July 19 through July 29.

The Committee will officially open with the opening ceremony on July 19, followed by plenary sessions beginning on July 20. Representatives from around the world will engage in in-depth discussions on key World Heritage agenda items, including reports, conservation, inscription, and policy. The official closing ceremony will take place on July 28, followed by the formal conclusion of the session on July 29.

Busan Metropolitan City is making every effort to ensure the successful and safe operation of the event. In close cooperation with the Korea Heritage Service, the police, the fire department, and other related agencies, the City has established a comprehensive safety management system covering transportation, security, disaster response, medical services, and all other major operational areas.

In particular, on July 6, a joint counterterrorism exercise was conducted under the leadership of the Busan Counterterrorism Council, bringing together public and private sectors as well as military, police, and fire authorities.

To help Committee participants gain a deeper understanding of Busan’s history and culture, a variety of customized programs will also be offered.

These include the “Busan Heritage Field Trip,” featuring the Busan Wartime Capital Heritage sites such as the Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum, the Provisional Capital Memorial Hall, and traditional markets, as well as the “World Heritage Field Trip,” which visits the Bangudae Petroglyphs and Bulguksa Temple. Participants will also receive a limited-edition Visit Busan Pass to support independent sightseeing, and a Busan Tourism Promotion Center will be operated throughout the event.

In addition, the Host City Welcome Banquet on July 23 will feature a special performance, “The Sea We Long For,” by the Busan City Performing Arts Company. Guests will also be served a specially curated menu featuring local ingredients, including wartime rice balls and Gijang Korean beef neobiani. Hands-on Korean calligraphy experiences and exhibitions of Busan cultural heritage products under the “Gowaye” brand will also be available.

Throughout the Committee period, dedicated shuttle buses will operate between Gimhae International Airport, Busan Station, and participant accommodations to ensure safe and convenient transportation.

A wide range of cultural events will also be available for citizens.

From July 20 to 29, the Host City Busan Pavilion will be operated in Hall 1 of BEXCO Exhibition Center 1, showcasing Busan’s journey from a historic gateway city to its vision as a future global maritime capital. On July 18 and 19, the Busan Travel Film Festival will present special outdoor screenings themed around World Heritage at the Busan Cinema Center. Additional events will include the Joseon Tongsinsa Procession, a reenactment and boarding experience, the Busan Wartime Capital Heritage Night Tour, and various academic seminars and cultural programs.

The City’s Children’s Reporters, the Busan Wartime Capital Heritage Global Supporters, and volunteer groups participating in the Busan Program will contribute to making the event a citizen-led celebration. Organizations including the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and BNK Busan Bank are also supporting regional programs and promotional activities to help ensure the successful hosting of the event.

More information is available on the official website of the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee at https://48whcbusan2026.kr.

Busan Metropolitan City also intends to use this Committee as a pivotal opportunity to promote the value of Busan’s heritage to the international community and create a lasting “Busan Legacy.”

During the Committee session, the City will pursue the adoption of the “Busan Declaration,” an international declaration incorporating symbolic themes representing Busan. It also plans to launch a variety of follow-up initiatives, including hosting a Global Heritage Forum and attracting a UNESCO Category 2 Centre.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo said, “Hosting the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee provides an important opportunity to demonstrate Busan’s international capabilities. We hope for continued interest and support as we work toward the inscription of the Busan Wartime Capital Heritage on the World Heritage List by 2030 and strive to establish Busan as a city of outstanding heritage admired by people around the world.”