Namibia, in conjunction with the National Heritage Council and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), will host the World Heritage Digital Technology workshop from 03-06 June 2025 in Windhoek.

The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC) in a media statement on Friday said the three-day workshop will tackle a range of challenges faced by World Heritage Sites.

Namibia has two World Heritage Sites listed on the World Heritage List: Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site and Namib Sand Sea World Heritage.

The statement said issues faced by World Heritage Sites include insufficient documentation and management, climate change, uncontrolled urban expansion, illicit activities, conflicts, and trafficking.

“This workshop will bring together around 40 participants, including world heritage site managers, heritage experts, mentees of the World Heritage Mentorship Programme, and scholars, to explore how emerging digital tools and innovative technologies can strengthen conservation and management practices at world heritage sites,” it read.

It will also foster the establishment of a community of practice and encourage regional cooperation and the exchange of best practices among professionals engaged in the preservation and promotion of World Heritage in Africa.

The Belgium government-supported workshop will provide a chance to build capacities to harness emerging technologies for the conservation, safeguarding and promotion of World Heritage in Africa, with attendees expected to gain experience in innovative technologies and enhance risk assessment, monitoring and public engagement abilities via activities such as theoretical sessions and field demonstrations, it said.

A similar event, The World Heritage Futures Lab: Southern and Eastern Africa Edition, was held in Windhoek in 2023, which brought together youth, creative technologists and local community members to reimagine the narrative of World Heritage via digital media.