(JUBA) – South Sudan is set to submit the Boma Badingilo Migratory Landscape for consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site next month, in a move that could strengthen the country’s tourism sector, conservation profile and international cultural standing.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Culture, Museums and National Heritage, Sarah Nyanath, during a meeting on Tuesday with the French Ambassador to South Sudan, Philippe Michel Kleisbauer.
According to the ministry, the nomination will be submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris as part of South Sudan’s efforts to secure international recognition for one of Africa’s major wildlife migration ecosystems.
The discussions between the minister and the French envoy focused on expanding cooperation between South Sudan and France in the areas of culture, heritage preservation and diplomacy.
Minister Nyanath thanked France for its continued support to South Sudan, particularly in projects linked to cultural development and the protection of historical and natural heritage sites.
Ambassador Michel Kleisbauer welcomed the growing engagement between the two countries and reaffirmed France’s support for South Sudan’s UNESCO nomination process and broader heritage initiatives.
He said France looked forward to continued cooperation with South Sudan in preserving and promoting cultural and natural heritage resources.
The proposed UNESCO nomination is expected to attract attention from conservation groups, tourism investors and development partners interested in South Sudan’s environmental assets and eco tourism potential.
The Boma Badingilo landscape is widely recognised for hosting one of the world’s largest wildlife migrations, with vast movements of antelope species crossing the ecosystem annually. Conservation experts have frequently described the area as one of Africa’s most important but least developed wildlife regions.
Analysts say successful UNESCO recognition could improve South Sudan’s visibility within the international tourism and conservation sectors, while also encouraging investment in infrastructure, hospitality and environmental protection projects.
The nomination could also support efforts to diversify South Sudan’s economy beyond oil by promoting tourism and conservation related activities as future sources of revenue and employment.
South Sudan has increasingly sought stronger international partnerships in cultural and environmental sectors as part of broader efforts to improve its global image and attract development support after years of conflict and economic challenges.
If approved by UNESCO, the Boma Badingilo Migratory Landscape would become one of the country’s most internationally recognised heritage sites and could help position South Sudan as an emerging destination for conservation tourism in East Africa.