Maputo National Park in Mozambique: A new World Heritage Site praised by Khaled El-Enany
Written by: Mohamed Ragab
Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), praised Maputo National Park, emphasizing that it represents a global model that combines environmental protection with support for local communities, during his first official visit to the park. Mozambique As the Director-General of the organization.
El-Anani said, via his official Facebook account, that his visit to Maputo Park NationalismThe UNESCO-listed site was an amazing experience, he noted, adding that seeing this exceptional natural site and meeting the management teams working there served as a powerful reminder that protecting nature is essentially about serving humanity.
He explained that the site is not just a haven for biodiversity, but also an important driver of sustainable tourism, a source of support for local livelihoods, as well as a role in enhancing the long-term resilience of communities.
Al-Anani stressed that these principles represent the core of UNESCO’s mission, which is based on protecting the common human and natural heritage, while achieving a real and tangible impact for the benefit of peoples and future generations.
Delivery of the official listing certificate
During the visit, the Director-General of UNESCO met with President Daniel Francisco Chabo in the capital, Maputo, where he presented the official inscription certificate for Maputo National Park on the World Heritage List.
This site is Mozambique’s second property to be listed as a World Heritage Site, but the first of its kind as a natural site, representing a remarkable achievement for the country in the field of environmental conservation and the preservation of its natural resources.
El-Anani described the occasion as a proud moment for Mozambique, and a strong international recognition of the country’s commitment to protecting its natural ecosystems for future generations, in light of the growing global challenges related to climate change and biodiversity loss.
What is Maputo National Park?
Maputo National Park in Mozambique is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Africa, distinguished by its unique combination of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
The park stretches across vast areas encompassing dense forests, freshwater lakes, and coastal sand dunes overlooking the Indian Ocean, earning it a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List. This biodiversity provides a safe haven for an astonishing array of creatures, from herds of elephants and giraffes roaming the plains to whales and dolphins that frequent its territorial waters.
In addition to its natural beauty, the park is an ideal destination for adventure and relaxation lovers; it offers an exceptional “safari” experience that ends on pristine white sandy beaches.
Visitors are particularly drawn to the area to witness the nesting of endangered sea turtles and to enjoy diving among the vibrant coral reefs. Because access requires traversing rough, sandy tracks, the journey itself is an exciting experience that necessitates the use of a four-wheel-drive vehicle, lending the visit a sense of privacy and offering a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
