The Namibian government officially submitted a nomination dossier to UNESCO for the Dâures/Brandberg National Monument Area to be inscribed on the World Heritage List.

In her ministerial address to the National Assembly, Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, announced that the submission was completed on January 29, 2026.

She said by pursuing World Heritage status for the Brandberg, Namibia is not only expanding its portfolio of globally recognised heritage sites but also reaffirming its status as a committed State Party to the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

"We are all aware that the Brandberg is situated approximately 30 km northwest of Uis in the Erongo Region, and this Dâures/Brandberg National Monument area is a site of unparalleled natural beauty and profound cultural significance. A 5,000-year-old cultural record, this is what we have in our Brandberg. And this landscape is home to over 900 rock art sites, offering an extraordinary record of human history spanning more than 5 millennia."

Steenkamp stated that the Brandberg's nomination aligns with Namibia's Vision 2030, the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), and the Swapo Party manifesto of 2025-2030.

Specifically, it acts as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth. 

"We raise our international profile of the Brandberg, and through that we promote ecotourism, rural enterprise and sustainable local development. But we also focus on youth empowerment and youth employment, with the development of cultural value chains and creative industries linked to the Brandberg. We believe that it will generate meaningful employment opportunities for our young people. Lastly, community empowerment. In line with the principles of NDP6, this project fosters community-led enterprises, positioning heritage as a driver of economic, social and cultural development."

Approval from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is expected by July 2027.