Malaysia’s Niah Caves Added to World Heritage List

via various sources, 27 July 2024: Niah Caves in Sarawak, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site during the 46th World Heritage Committee session in New Delhi. This recognition highlights the caves’ archaeological significance, which spans 50,000 years of human history. Malaysia now boasts five UNESCO sites.

The famed archaeological complex of the Niah Caves National Park of Sarawak has been recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site, says the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac).

In a statement yesterday evening, it said the last time Malaysia received this honour was in 2012.

“The recognition was announced at 7pm during the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting at Delhi, India, following deliberations by the 21-member World Heritage Committee that is chaired by India,” read the statement.

Efforts to nominate the archaeological complex of the Niah Caves began in 2019, where submissions were made to Unesco in January 2021.

Source: Niah Caves is now a Unesco World Heritage Site

See also:

• Niah Caves complex declared Unesco Archaelogical site, says Abang Jo | New Straits Times, 27 Jul 2024
• Sarawak’s Niah Caves recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site | The Star, 27 Jul 2024
• Niah Caves now a World Heritage site | Free Malaysia Today, 27 Jul 2024
• Unesco recognises Niah Caves in Sarawak as World Heritage Site | The Vibes, 28 Jul 2024
• Sarawak’s Gua Niah Officially Recognised As A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Says, 29 Jul 2024
• Niah Caves complex receives UNESCO World Heritage Site status | Citizen’s Journal, 30 Jul 2024
• Niah Caves gains UNESCO recognition | TTR Weekly, 31 Jul 2024
• Niah National Park in Miri, Sarawak gains Unesco World Heritage status | The Edge, 31 Jul 2024
• The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex | Unesco