UNESCO Adds Mount Olympus and D-Day Beaches to Heritage List

A UNESCO committee meeting in Busan, South Korea, added several diverse locations to the World Heritage List on July 26, 2026. Among the new inscriptions are the D-Day landing beaches in northern France, including the five Normandy beaches and the Pointe du Hoc assault site, recognizing the Allied campaign to liberate Western Europe during World War II.

UNESCO also designated Mount Olympus in Greece as a mixed cultural and natural heritage site. Greek delegate Georgios Koumoutsakos pledged a commitment to safeguarding the mountain for future generations, noting that it is best to remain on good terms with the gods. In Japan, the ancient capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara in Nara Prefecture were added to the list to recognize the formation of the country's first centralized state.

Japan's Culture Minister Kobayashi Shigeki reaffirmed the nation's commitment to preserving these sites, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed hope that the designation would boost tourism in Nara. Additionally, South Sudan secured its first-ever addition to the list with the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape, recognized for its natural biodiversity.