North Macedonia, Greece and Albania begin preparations for joint Prespa UNESCO nomination

Culture ministers from North Macedonia, Greece and Albania signed a joint declaration to begin preparing a transboundary nomination of the Prespa Region for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The trilateral meeting took place in the Greek Municipality of Prespa.

The ministers who signed the statement were Sedat Sulejmani of North Macedonia, Lina Mendoni of Greece and Blendi Gonxhja of Albania. Their decision starts a coordinated process to assemble the documentation required by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for a cross‑border candidacy.

Addressing the gathering, Sedat Sulejmani said: "For me, the significance of this commitment is in the long-term and sustainable management of Prespa, with concrete benefits for local communities. By uniting our knowledge, experience and good will, we can build lasting cooperation that protects the heritage and creates opportunities for the region's development."

Joint statement and regional value

In a joint declaration the three ministers described the Prespa Region as a unique natural and cultural landscape of exceptional value and an interlinked territorial whole. They underlined their belief that a coordinated effort to protect and secure recognition for Prespa can become a constructive example of regional cooperation and show how shared cultural and natural heritage can act as a bridge between neighbouring countries and peoples.

The meeting was attended by Michalis Rokas, Head of the European Union Delegation to North Macedonia, Sinisa Sesum, head of the UNESCO office in Sarajevo, Rita Columbia, United Nations Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia, and representatives of national institutions and local governments from the three countries.

Michalis Rokas said: "The European Union has decided, in addition to political support, to finance the initial relevant studies for the candidature submission, which are expected to be completed no later than within one year. The European Union supports the joint efforts of the three neighbouring countries to protect and highlight the environmental and cultural wealth they possess in the Prespa region."

Ministers and participating officials said the next steps will include agreed timelines for studies and inventories, closer coordination of conservation measures across borders, and involvement of local communities so that any UNESCO inscription also brings sustainable development and benefits for the people who live around Lake Prespa.

Photo: Fejsbuk