27 May

“If Bagan gets included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, it will increase our national integrity and promote tourism,” said U Thein Lwin, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Archaeology and National Museum.

He made the remark during an event, arranged by Myanmar Tourism Directory Association, on campaigning for the inclusion of Bagan on UNESCO’s 2019 World Heritage List and a general discussion on noteworthy things in Bagan, held at the Minister’s Building in Botahtaung Township, Yangon, yesterday evening.

Talking to the journalists in attendance, U Thein Lwin also said foreign tourists mainly come to Myanmar to visit Bagan and upgrading it from a national heritage to a world heritage ranking will significantly boost tourism. This is in turn will create more jobs for the local residents and promote businesses related to tourism, he added.

Authorities have been applying for Bagan’s inclusion on the World Heritage List since 1996 but have been dismissed for not meeting certain standards or requirements. But now, the Department of Archaeology and National Museum is applying again in 2018 with all the requirements having been met, said U Thein Lwin. Whether Bagan will be included on the world heritage list will be decided at the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in July this year.

Daw Ommar Myo, an expert on heritage preservation, said they have been collaborating with domestic and foreign experts since 2013 to formulate a management system for inserting Bagan in the world heritage list. She said Bagan has an exceptionally high chance of entering the list as it holds unique cultural value and architecture and over three to four thousand structures, all in one place.

Daw Ommar Myo also said Bagan will be protected from even international fighting within its area if its included in the world heritage list. They would also receive the necessary technological assistance to preserve Bagan in line with international standards. She added that universities and research departments around the world would be able to conduct more research on Bagan. Three ancient Pyu cities were entered into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. If Bagan makes it into the list, authorities say they will campaign for including MraukU Region into the list in 2020.

Panellists at the event included management expert Mr. Kai Weise, Daw Ommar Myo, U Thein Lwin, U Myo Swe Than from ‘Bagan in Our Heart’, and U Thura Aung, Secretary of the Myanmar Archaeology Association. —Min Thit, Thant Zin Win  (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)