EU welcomes Inscription of the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List

As the world celebrates Nature Conservation today, the European Union welcomes and congratulates South Sudan and South Sudanese on the recent inscription of the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape (BBML) on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

This is South Sudan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription, acknowledging the landscape's outstanding universal value and securing international recognition for one of the most remarkable migratory systems on the planet.

The inscription follows years of work led by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, through its Ministry of Culture, Museums and National Heritage — the national authority responsible for heritage conservation — in close collaboration with the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism (MWCT), the South Sudan Wildlife Service (SSWS), local communities, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), UNESCO and African Parks. 

“The inscription of BBML on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a wonderful news and great achievement for South Sudan. Supporting wildlife and environmental conservation is a key priority for the EU as it protects vital ecosystems, supports sustainable local livelihoods and reinforces regional security,” said Lothar Jaschke, Charge’ d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to South Sudan. “Our commitment is driven by key strategic initiatives such as NaturAfrica and global climate goals.” 

South Sudan’s Hon. Denay Jock Chagor, Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism could not hide his delight about this great development. "Today's inscription of the Boma–Badingilo Migratory Landscape as South Sudan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site is a proud and historic moment for our nation,” Hon.Chagor said. “This achievement reflects years of collaboration between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, local communities, African Parks and supporters who have worked tirelessly to safeguard this remarkable landscape. We thank UNESCO, our partners, and the people of South Sudan who have helped make this achievement possible.”

South Sudan’s Minister of Culture, Museums and National Heritage Hon. Sarah Nyanath also expressed delight and pledged further commitment towards conservation efforts. “This achievement is the culmination of a collaborative effort involving government institutions, local communities, UNESCO, African Parks and many dedicated partners. It demonstrates South Sudan's commitment to preserving both its natural and cultural heritage and sharing these treasures with the world,” Hon. Nyanath said.

According to Peter Fearnhead, Chief Executive Officer of African Parks, there are very few landscapes left on Earth where a natural system of South Sudan’s scale still exists. “This is a proud day for South Sudan, and a substantive symbol of nation building in the world’s youngest country. World Heritage status will not safeguard the landscape on its own, but it does shine an international spotlight on its importance and helps build the support needed to secure its future,” he said. “We congratulate the Government of South Sudan for its leadership in achieving this milestone. African Parks is honoured to stand alongside the Government, local communities, traditional authorities and partners in safeguarding this landscape into the future.”

The landscape, which covers approximately 12 million hectares of savannah, floodplain, wetland and woodland, encompasses Boma National Park, Badingilo National Park, and the extensive network of wildlife corridors that connect them. This landscape is one of the largest intact and ecologically functional in Africa. It forms the heart of the Great Nile Migration ecosystem and supports the largest terrestrial mammal migration on Earth.

The European Union and other partners, through African Parks, helped lay the foundations for this deserved global recognition and long-term conservation and community engagement across the wider Boma–Badingilo landscape.

This global recognition presents a proud moment for the Ministry of Wildlife, all communities who underwent consultations during the nomination process, and the country. It’s also a great complement to last week’s World Conservation Day event, where stakeholders came together to support and celebrate conservation, particularly of the Great Nile Migration ecosystem.