Sarawak Deepens Cultural Ties with UNESCO in Paris

PARIS, FRANCE. 23 May 2025 – Sarawak has strengthened its connection to UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, making a significant impact on its heritage preservation efforts. This initiative was led by Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, during his courtesy visit to the UNESCO.

During his meeting with Deputy Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Jyoti Hosagrahar, Snowdan discussed the relevance of the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators. He also expressed the region’s ambition to align its cultural development with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS2030). A key point highlighted was how the recent inscription of Niah Caves as a World Heritage Site presents unique opportunities to safeguard the heritage of local communities while advancing sustainable practices, particularly in sustainable crafts for sustainable livelihoods.

Snowdan also held a discussion with the Secretary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Fumiko Ohina. The dialogue focused on Sarawak’s strong intent to seek recognition for elements of intangible heritage practiced by its 34 ethnic groups under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. He also said that as part of PCDS2030, there is an intention to nominate The Fort Trails for recognition as intangible cultural heritage under UNESCO.

The Fort Trails encapsulate the historical and cultural significance of 23 forts constructed during the Brooke era. Many of these were built with the support of local communities, who contributed essential resources such as belian timber, labour, food supplies, and their profound local knowledge. While only 14 forts remain today and have been gazetted, the legacy of those that no longer stand endures through oral histories preserved by the builders' descendants. These living memories, passed down through generations, continue to connect communities to their past and underscore the shared cultural identity that Sarawak is dedicated to safeguarding through this initiative.

Efforts towards this important nomination will be carried out in close collaboration with key national institutions, including the National Heritage Department (Jabatan Warisan Negara), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), and the Permanent Delegation of Malaysia to UNESCO.

Also present at the meeting in Paris were Deputy Permanent Delegate of Malaysia to UNESCO, Dr Shahrizal Norwawi, and Counsellor at the Malaysian Delegation, Dr M. Miandy Munusamy.